Facebook Criticised For Workplace Suppression Controls

Facebook has been marketing Workplace, an Intranet-style chat and office collaboration product, as having built-in labor union suppression tools. Workplace allows employees to see a stream of content similar to a news feed, with automatically generated trending topics based on what people are posting about.

Howerer, Workplace also has contols that allow administrators to remove and block certain trending topics and blocking certain words used among employees. This comes at a time when more and more Americans and Europeans are using Facebook to organise civil rights demonstrations and other protests in connection the the #BlackLivesMatter campaign.

A report by The Intercept investigative website claims that Worklplace allows businesses to censor certain words from employees from the office management platform and that, earlier this month, a Facebook employee lost his job after he tweeted about his co-workers not cooperating with him in connection with a Black Lives Matter protest within the company. 

Workplace allows employees to see a stream of content similar to a news feed, with automatically generated trending topics based on what people are posting about. Companies use it to discuss projects, coordinate meetings, and share information. It strives to function as a digital office that in the context of the explosion in remote working  is more important than ever.  Companies use it to discuss projects, coordinate meetings, and share announcements. Facebook Workplace is currently used by major employers such as Walmart, as well as the Singapore government, Discovery Communications, Starbucks and even the Campbell Soup Corporation.

When numerous employees are are using Workplace to discuss a specific word, phrase, or topic which an employer might find objectionable, Workplace enables the employer to remove the topic from the trending list and the suggestion that Facebook is actively building tools designed to suppress labour organising has caused disquiet among Facebook employees. 

With the continued growth of social media platforms, it was inevitable that employees would voice their complaints about work online. Employers may be inclined to discipline or even fire employees due to online postings critical of the workplace. If, however, those online postings constitute protected concerted activity, the US National Labor Relations Act may prevent employers from taking any disciplinary action. The fact that employees are using Facebook and other social media tools to discuss work does not alter the basic analysis of what does and does not constitute protected concerted activity. 

Facebook has long been criticised for selectively regulating what’s posted on its platforms, allowing paid ads to remain online no matter what. 

Facebook has prided itself on promoting free speech on its platform and has even come under fire from employees who staged a virtual walkout to protest the company’s decision not to flag an inflammatory post from President Donald Trump, in which the president appeared to endorse shooting in response to widespread looting and protests.

The unique sharing aspects of social media can raise surveillance issues and Facebook has been criticised for selectively regulating what’s posted on its platforms, allowing paid ads to remain online. Their relaxed  approach to potential political misinformation contrasts sharply with the powerful tools for employers to monitor and control discussions in the workplace.  

University of PennsylvaniaThe Intecept:   Mashable:      Fox Business News:   EdExLive:  

You Might Also Read: 

Remote Working Is Transforming The Security Landscape:
 

« Journalist Convicted of Cyber Libel
The Leading AI Cyber Security Firms »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC (formerly Reciprocity) is a leader in the GRC SaaS landscape, offering robust and intuitive products designed to make compliance straightforward and efficient.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

Indelible Data

Indelible Data

Indelible Data is an established information security and technology consultancy and a Cyber Essentials Certification Body.

CYBERPOL

CYBERPOL

CYBERPOL is the leading Public Utility Agency for investigating cyber crimes and cyber attacks by criminals, international adversaries.

JLT Specialty

JLT Specialty

JLT Specialty is a leading specialist insurance broker. Services offered include Cyber Risks insurance.

GTB Technologies

GTB Technologies

GTB Technologies is a cyber security company that focuses on providing enterprise class data protection and data loss prevention solutions.

NXP Semiconductors

NXP Semiconductors

NXP is a world leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications and the Internet of Things.

Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG)

Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG)

The mission of the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group is to implement and enforce pertinent laws on cybercrime and other cyber related crimes and pursue an effective anti-cybercrime campaign.

DOS

DOS

DOS is an Ecuadorian company with 3 decades of presence in the market and extensive experience in the planning, management and execution of IT Service Integration Projects.

AVORD

AVORD

AVORD is a cloud-based security testing platform that allows clients to manage security testing requirements in a far more productive and efficient way.

Tecnalia Research & Innovation

Tecnalia Research & Innovation

Tecnalia is the largest center of applied research and technological development in Spain, a benchmark in Europe and a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance.

Red Points

Red Points

Red Points protects your brand and content in the digital environment.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

Crowe

Crowe

Crowe is a public accounting, consulting, and technology firm that combines deep industry and specialized expertise with innovation.

Island

Island

Island puts the enterprise in complete control of the browser, delivering a level of governance, visibility, and productivity that simply weren’t possible before.

Galvanick

Galvanick

Galvanick enables your operations and IT teams to protect your industrial systems and networks against digital threats.

Xcede

Xcede

Xcede are global technology recruitment specialists. We connect companies with exceptional professionals who empower growth.

Creative Network Innovations (CNI)

Creative Network Innovations (CNI)

Creative Network Innovations is a leader in providing advanced IT and cybersecurity solutions.