Facebook unable to monitor content in all languages

Facebook unable to monitor content in all languages

There are 31 other widely spoken languages on Facebook that do not have official support.

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MUMBAI: Amid the flood of various new languages, Facebook Inc is struggling to monitor content, according to a Reuters report.

Out of the 111 languages supported by Facebook, there were only 41 languages that were translated under the detailed rules known as ‘community standards’ which restricts users from posting offensive material including hate speech and celebrations of violence.

The language deficit complicates Facebook's battle to rein in harmful content and the damage it can cause, including to the company itself. Countries including Australia, Singapore, and the UK are now threatening harsh new regulations, punishable by steep fines or jail time for executives if it fails to promptly remove objectionable posts. The community standards are updated monthly and run to about 9,400 words in English.

Facebook's 15,000-strong content moderation workforce speaks about 50 tongues, though the company said it hires professional translators when needed. Automated tools for identifying hate speech work in about 30, the report mentioned.

Facebook says it now offers the rules in Burmese and has more than 100 speakers of the language among its workforce.