Facebook says it was a mistake. But the UAW and AFL-CIO say it is censorship and illegal.
Here’s what happened: In an ongoing online discussion earlier this month, Facebook had a work session about a new tool on its Workplace platform, which is an employee communications system similar to Microsoft Teams.
Facebook leaders discussed that the tool could provide content control, designed for administrators to cut down on bullying and harassment. One example given by Facebook as a way to avoid workplace harassment is to remove trending words such as “unionize.”
The suggestion outraged the UAW and AFL-CIO unions and prompted the UAW on Monday to call for a congressional inquiry into Facebook. In the wake of that, the social media giant now says it will sideline plans to develop the tool for content control.