Facebook weekly updates & response to COVID-19

The digest includes the Facebook family of apps’ announcements from the week and highlights from their response to COVID-19.

Community Standards Enforcement Report

Facebook published the fifth edition of its Community Standards Enforcement Report, which tracks the progress to keep Facebook and Instagram safe and highlights metrics on how have they enforced their policies from October 2019 to March 2020.

Through new data sets, they are now reporting on 12 policy areas on Facebook and 10 on Instagram. For the first time, the platform is also sharing data on the number of appeals people make on the content they’ve taken action against on Instagram, and the number of decisions they overturn either based on those appeals or when they identify the issue themselves. They've also added data on efforts to combat organized hate on Facebook and Instagram.

Facebook announces members of the Global Oversight Board

Facebook announced the first 20 members of the Global Oversight Board, an independent authority outside of Facebook to provide oversight on Facebook’s content decisions and reverse content decisions when necessary.

Also Read: Facebook launches Messenger Rooms

I for India raises more than half a million USD for COVID Response Fund managed by GiveIndia

Facebook recently worked with the Indian entertainment industry to bring a home-home fundraiser concert on Facebook. Over 85 artists came together for a Facebook Live performance to raise funds for people affected by the COVID 19 pandemic. It raised more than half a million USD. 100% proceeds from the fundraiser concert went to the India COVID Response Fund managed by GiveIndia.

New Instagram safety features

Instagram has announced new features in the fight against online bullying.

New ‘Support Small Business’ sticker on Instagram

Instagram is introducing the new Support Small Business Sticker on the platform. When people use the sticker in Instagram Stories, their story will automatically appear in a shared Instagram story, so more people can discover more small businesses. They’ve also expanded the Business Resource Center on Facebook and Instagram to share the latest tips, resources and product information for businesses as they pivot online.