Anti-hoax sites debunk PHL as source of Facebook porn attack

source: gmanews.tv

Filipino Facebook users can heave a sigh of relief, at least for now, after a supposed statement from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg blaming Filipinos for a recent spam/porn attack on the social network has been debunked by anti-hoax sites.

At least two Internet hoax sites cited as fake the supposed Zuckerberg statement blaming the porn attack on the Philippines, and warning Filipinos they may be banned from Facebook if they do not stop sending spam.

"The message is an absurd hoax and should not be reposted. Mark Zuckerberg has made no such statement," said Hoax-Slayer.com.

Early this month, a spam attack hit Facebook and filled users' news feeds with offensive images.

Facebook said it was investigating the problem, hinting it had determined who the culprits were.

A message supposedly from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg had been circulating, claiming the attacks were traced to the Philippines.

It warned that if this continues then Facebook would "have no choice but to ban Philippine users from using Facebook."

Hoax-Slayer.com noted the message began circulating soon after the November 2011 Facebook porn attack began to subside.

"(T)he claims in the message are utter nonsense and should not be reposted. Mark Zuckerberg has made no such statement. Nor has anyone else from Facebook. There are no credible news reports that support the claims in the message in any way whatsoever," it said.

Media reports do indicate the Facebook team investigating the attack has identified those responsible, but has not yet named them.

"At the time of writing, Facebook has not stated where in the world the attackers are located. But, even if some or all of these attackers did happen to be in the Philippines, then Facebook would certainly not be so foolish and discriminatory as to ban the entire nation from using their network," it added.

Such a "statement" may also cause other users to unfairly lay the blame for the porn attack on the Philippines, according to Hoax-Slayer.

A second hoax site, ThatsNonsense.com, similarly branded the supposed statement as "completely untrue," as is the assertion that Facebook is considering banning the entire nation if the spam continues to circulate.

"(T)he notion that Facebook would consider banning an entire country from using their service is simply ridiculous," it added .

source: gmanews.tv