What it takes to get a hate page off Facebook: A letter from the state AG

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"There is a rising tide of hate around our country and around our state," Rachel Wainer Apter, head of the state's Division on Civil Rights, said in the letter. "You at Facebook also have a role to play in monitoring comments that incite violence based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, and disability."

Almost a year after state officials formally asked Facebook to take action against a racist and anti-Semitic group page, the social network has finally removed it. The page, called “Rise Up Ocean County,” had been condemned by local leaders for its hateful content.

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal and Governor Phil Murphy acknowledged Facebook’s action in a joint announcement1. The state officials had expressed concern about the page violating Facebook’s terms of service, emphasizing the need to combat hateful rhetoric online.

While incidents of hate crimes have been on the rise, platforms like Facebook play a crucial role in monitoring and addressing harmful content1. It’s essential to continue advocating for responsible content moderation to create a safer online environment.