Facebook Blocks Events Near DC & State Capitols

In anticipation of potential organized disruptions surrounding the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, Facebook has revealed a series of new safety protocols.

Details were shared in a company blog post and via Twitter by Andy Stone, Facebook’s Director of Policy Communications, outlining that the platform will prohibit the scheduling of events in the vicinity of the White House, the U.S. Capitol Building, and all state capitol buildings until Wednesday.

The social media organization also stated it will conduct additional reviews of events related to the inauguration to identify and remove content that violates its established policies. Currently, this includes any material associated with the “Stop the Steal” campaign, which continues to disseminate false claims regarding the validity of Biden’s election win. Action against these groups was initiated earlier this week by the company.

Furthermore, Facebook intends to implement stricter limitations for U.S.-based users who consistently disregard the platform’s guidelines, potentially preventing those accounts from broadcasting live videos, hosting events, or participating in group pages.

While these steps may not fully satisfy all of Facebook’s detractors, they represent significant actions for a company that has only recently begun to address the risks posed by dangerous misinformation and extremist organizations with greater urgency.