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Faizel Patel – 16/02/2021
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it will be requesting that Facebook be summoned to Parliament to account on several matters including its role in misinformation and the protection of the digital privacy of its South African users.
The social media platforms has come under fire from a number of governments around the world, with critics saying it is undermining user privacy and not doing enough to combat the spread of misinformation and fake news,
In a statement, the DA’s Phumzile Van Damme they want clarity from Facebook on what steps the tech giant will be taking in tackling harmful misinformation.
“The spread of COVID-related misinformation primarily through Facebook and WhatsApp, a company owned by Facebook, highlights the need for Parliament to take an active role in curbing misinformation. However, the aim of questioning Facebook should be to ensure that the interests of the people of South Africa are protected and not an attempt to exert control or limit freedom of expression.”
Van Damme says Parliament is currently being left behind while legislators across the globe push for social media reform and strengthened content moderation on social media platforms.
“Another issue requiring thorough examination and interrogation is to what extent the digital privacy of South African Facebook and WhatsApp users is being protected.”
Van Damme says the digital transformation of South Africa must begin now and that the wearing of “4IR” jackets and inserting “4IR” in every speech as a mere cool buzzword does not make digital transformation happen.
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