Where We Stand

Facebook Business

Actions We're Taking to Advance Racial Justice in Our Company and on Our Platform

Recent events have continued to expose the racism and injustice that exist in our society, particularly for the Black community. These are important issues that must be addressed collectively, and businesses must also bring about change as integral parts of communities around the world. At Facebook, we are committed to doing more.

We stand against racism and in support of the Black community and all those fighting for equality and justice every single day.

Our apps were built to give people a voice. Every day, people come together to learn, organize and inspire others on critical issues. We believe that building an inclusive society depends upon people being able to share their diverse perspectives.

But we recognize that words are not enough. We are also taking action.

We are committed to advancing equity and racial justice by investing in the Black community, elevating Black voices, directly funding racial justice organizations, and building a more diverse and inclusive workforce. And we’re taking steps to review our policies, ensure diversity and transparency when making decisions on how we apply our policies, and advance racial justice and voter engagement on our platform.

Improving Our Products, Programs and Policies

We have a responsibility to help keep people safe on our services and to bring the world closer together. Our Community Standards outline what is and isn’t allowed on our platform. Across the most harmful types of content we work to combat, we’ve continued to strengthen our efforts to enforce our policies and bring greater transparency to our work.

Hate has no place on our platform, and our policies reflect this. We don’t want the platform to be used to create an environment of intimidation or exclusion. Because hate speech is often dependent on the context in which it is shared, we regularly consult with organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and NAACP to update our definitions and policies.

We’re continuing to invest in people and technology to proactively detect and remove hate speech and other violating content from our platform. In May 2020, we shared that we now proactively detect over 88% of the hate speech we remove before anyone has reported it to us, up from 23% in 2017.

But we recognize that there is more to be done to build a more inclusive platform. To start, we’re focused on the following seven key areas:

  • Reviewing our policies allowing discussion and threats of state use of force to see if there are any amendments we should adopt.
  • Reviewing our policies around voter suppression content to make sure we're taking into account the realities of voting in the midst of a pandemic.
  • Reviewing potential options for handling violating or partially-violating content aside from the binary leave-it-up or take-it-down decisions.
  • Establishing a clearer and more transparent decision-making process.
  • Making sure the right groups and voices are at the table, and elevating the representation of diversity, inclusion and human rights in our processes and management team discussions.
  • Building products to advance racial justice, taking into account suggestions from employees and others. This includes our work to amplify Black voices and provide educational resources within our apps.
  • Providing everyone access to accurate and authoritative information about voting by building a Voter Information Center. In line with these efforts, we launched the largest voting information campaign in American history.

While we’re already making progress, this is an ongoing effort. We know that our enforcement isn’t perfect. We’ll continue to review and revisit our policies to account for the ever-changing world around us. And we’ll continue to work with experts around the world to listen to their ideas and criticism, and make changes where they’re warranted, to update and evolve our policies and platform.

Investing in Communities of Color

We are listening to and learning from our employees, communities and small businesses to understand what they need now and what they will need down the road. That’s why we’re investing over $1 billion to support Black and diverse suppliers and communities in the United States.

We’re supporting diversity and entrepreneurship of small businesses. As part of our efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we placed a special emphasis on outreach to and investment in underrepresented businesses and communities of color.

  • Of the $100 million grant program we created for small businesses, we pledged $40M in the US alone - 50% of which will go to underrepresented minority and women-owned businesses due to the disproportionate negative impact that COVID-19 has on these businesses, their employees and the communities they serve.
  • Of the $10.3 million we awarded to 144 US local newsrooms with the COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program, over half went to publications by or for communities of color.
  • We’re committing an additional $200 million to support Black-owned businesses and organizations. We’re investing $100 million this year in Black-owned small businesses, Black creators, and nonprofits that serve the Black community in the US. And starting next year, we’ll spend at least $100 million annually with Black-owned suppliers, from facilities to construction to marketing agencies and more.

While we’re currently taking these actions in the United States, they speak to our broader commitment to do our part to empower people and communities with the tools and resources they need, and to support initiatives with tangible resources that help build better communities.

Supporting Organizations Fighting for Racial Justice

This is not a journey that we can - or should - do alone. We are supporting those committed to fighting for equality and racial justice.

  • We recently committed $10 million to support organizations fighting for racial justice and we’re helping people use our tools to fundraise for these causes.
  • To support people raising money for causes they care about on Juneteenth, we’ll donate $1 million ($19 each) to the first 50,000 Facebook Fundraisers created for three racial justice organizations: Equal Justice Initiative, Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Innocence Project.

Elevating Black Voices and Stories

It’s important we raise and amplify voices that make a lasting impact.

  • Based on employee suggestions, we are launching a new destination — Lift Black Voices — a space for amplifying Black voices, and sharing educational resources, storytelling experiences and inspiring action through fundraising for the advancement of racial justice.
  • We’re continuing our #ShareBlackStories editorial series on @instagram, @instagramforbusiness, @creators, @shop and @design to amplify the voices of Black creators, artists, activists and businesses.

Building a More Diverse and Inclusive Workforce

We recognize that change has to happen within as well so we can better support communities around the world. We know more diverse teams will make better decisions and build better products, and are committed to advancing opportunity for all - within our company and on our platform. People from all backgrounds rely on Facebook to connect with others, and we will better serve their needs with a more diverse workforce.

  • Since 2014, we’ve published our Diversity Report. We’ve already committed to have 50% of our workforce be from underrepresented communities by the end of 2023, and are working to double our number of Black and Latinx employees in the same timeframe.
  • Over the next five years, we are committing to increase the representation of people of color in leadership positions by 30% including increasing the representation of Black leaders by 30%.

The Road Ahead

We recognize there is more to be done to support equality and safety for Black and diverse communities through our platforms. We continue to welcome dialog on how we can do more to take action and help ensure that our platform and policies are used to build an inclusive society.

This is the beginning of a very long but essential journey. We have so far to go to overcome racial injustice in America and around the world, and we are committed to doing our part to fight systemic racism.

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Announcements

Announcements
·
June 21, 2020

Where We Stand

Actions We're Taking to Advance Racial Justice in Our Company and on Our Platform

R

ecent events have continued to expose the racism and injustice that exist in our society, particularly for the Black community. These are important issues that must be addressed collectively, and businesses must also bring about change as integral parts of communities around the world. At Facebook, we are committed to doing more.

We stand against racism and in support of the Black community and all those fighting for equality and justice every single day.

Our apps were built to give people a voice. Every day, people come together to learn, organize and inspire others on critical issues. We believe that building an inclusive society depends upon people being able to share their diverse perspectives.

But we recognize that words are not enough. We are also taking action.

We are committed to advancing equity and racial justice by investing in the Black community, elevating Black voices, directly funding racial justice organizations, and building a more diverse and inclusive workforce. And we’re taking steps to review our policies, ensure diversity and transparency when making decisions on how we apply our policies, and advance racial justice and voter engagement on our platform.

Improving Our Products, Programs and Policies

We have a responsibility to help keep people safe on our services and to bring the world closer together. Our Community Standards outline what is and isn’t allowed on our platform. Across the most harmful types of content we work to combat, we’ve continued to strengthen our efforts to enforce our policies and bring greater transparency to our work.

Hate has no place on our platform, and our policies reflect this. We don’t want the platform to be used to create an environment of intimidation or exclusion. Because hate speech is often dependent on the context in which it is shared, we regularly consult with organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and NAACP to update our definitions and policies.

We’re continuing to invest in people and technology to proactively detect and remove hate speech and other violating content from our platform. In May 2020, we shared that we now proactively detect over 88% of the hate speech we remove before anyone has reported it to us, up from 23% in 2017.

But we recognize that there is more to be done to build a more inclusive platform. To start, we’re focused on the following seven key areas:

  • Reviewing our policies allowing discussion and threats of state use of force to see if there are any amendments we should adopt.
  • Reviewing our policies around voter suppression content to make sure we're taking into account the realities of voting in the midst of a pandemic.
  • Reviewing potential options for handling violating or partially-violating content aside from the binary leave-it-up or take-it-down decisions.
  • Establishing a clearer and more transparent decision-making process.
  • Making sure the right groups and voices are at the table, and elevating the representation of diversity, inclusion and human rights in our processes and management team discussions.
  • Building products to advance racial justice, taking into account suggestions from employees and others. This includes our work to amplify Black voices and provide educational resources within our apps.
  • Providing everyone access to accurate and authoritative information about voting by building a Voter Information Center. In line with these efforts, we launched the largest voting information campaign in American history.

While we’re already making progress, this is an ongoing effort. We know that our enforcement isn’t perfect. We’ll continue to review and revisit our policies to account for the ever-changing world around us. And we’ll continue to work with experts around the world to listen to their ideas and criticism, and make changes where they’re warranted, to update and evolve our policies and platform.

Investing in Communities of Color

We are listening to and learning from our employees, communities and small businesses to understand what they need now and what they will need down the road. That’s why we’re investing over $1 billion to support Black and diverse suppliers and communities in the United States.

We’re supporting diversity and entrepreneurship of small businesses. As part of our efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we placed a special emphasis on outreach to and investment in underrepresented businesses and communities of color.

  • Of the $100 million grant program we created for small businesses, we pledged $40M in the US alone - 50% of which will go to underrepresented minority and women-owned businesses due to the disproportionate negative impact that COVID-19 has on these businesses, their employees and the communities they serve.
  • Of the $10.3 million we awarded to 144 US local newsrooms with the COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program, over half went to publications by or for communities of color.
  • We’re committing an additional $200 million to support Black-owned businesses and organizations. We’re investing $100 million this year in Black-owned small businesses, Black creators, and nonprofits that serve the Black community in the US. And starting next year, we’ll spend at least $100 million annually with Black-owned suppliers, from facilities to construction to marketing agencies and more.

While we’re currently taking these actions in the United States, they speak to our broader commitment to do our part to empower people and communities with the tools and resources they need, and to support initiatives with tangible resources that help build better communities.

Supporting Organizations Fighting for Racial Justice

This is not a journey that we can - or should - do alone. We are supporting those committed to fighting for equality and racial justice.

  • We recently committed $10 million to support organizations fighting for racial justice and we’re helping people use our tools to fundraise for these causes.
  • To support people raising money for causes they care about on Juneteenth, we’ll donate $1 million ($19 each) to the first 50,000 Facebook Fundraisers created for three racial justice organizations: Equal Justice Initiative, Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Innocence Project.

Elevating Black Voices and Stories

It’s important we raise and amplify voices that make a lasting impact.

  • Based on employee suggestions, we are launching a new destination — Lift Black Voices — a space for amplifying Black voices, and sharing educational resources, storytelling experiences and inspiring action through fundraising for the advancement of racial justice.
  • We’re continuing our #ShareBlackStories editorial series on @instagram, @instagramforbusiness, @creators, @shop and @design to amplify the voices of Black creators, artists, activists and businesses.

Building a More Diverse and Inclusive Workforce

We recognize that change has to happen within as well so we can better support communities around the world. We know more diverse teams will make better decisions and build better products, and are committed to advancing opportunity for all - within our company and on our platform. People from all backgrounds rely on Facebook to connect with others, and we will better serve their needs with a more diverse workforce.

  • Since 2014, we’ve published our Diversity Report. We’ve already committed to have 50% of our workforce be from underrepresented communities by the end of 2023, and are working to double our number of Black and Latinx employees in the same timeframe.
  • Over the next five years, we are committing to increase the representation of people of color in leadership positions by 30% including increasing the representation of Black leaders by 30%.

The Road Ahead

We recognize there is more to be done to support equality and safety for Black and diverse communities through our platforms. We continue to welcome dialog on how we can do more to take action and help ensure that our platform and policies are used to build an inclusive society.

This is the beginning of a very long but essential journey. We have so far to go to overcome racial injustice in America and around the world, and we are committed to doing our part to fight systemic racism.

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