Citing a violation of its terms of use, social website Facebook has removed the group page of the pro R18+ organization Grow Up Australia.
A message from Facebook, while not specific, offered that “groups that are hateful, threatening or obscene are not allowed.” Additionally, Facebook removes groups that “attack an individual or group, or advertise a product or service.” The group had boasted around 37,000 members before its removal.
While a logical guess might theorize that members of the group had posted hateful comments about a certain South Australian Attorney General, Grow Up Australia wrote that it did not believe that any administrator-provided content had provoked the ban, and that it had also been “vigilant” in moderating member content.
Grow Up Australia previously worked with retailer EB Games to promote a petition advocating the addition of an R18+ videogame rating category in the country. The drive ended with 46,000 signatures, both virtual and real.
The group has setup a Facebook Fan Page while it attempts to lobby Facebook to reinstate its group page.
Thanks Ryan
Comments
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
They need to do their research on the pro R18+ AU group before they booted the group. But also I agree that gamers that are FOR the group and are DEFENDING R18+ games need to have an age restriction on that group in Facebook. B/c since the group was banned or gotten rid of, I think it was due to teens and tweens on that group. But also includes childish adults that want to say their opinions. I for one would not bash on an against group of R18+ games. I would say my opinion but in a sarcastic and thorough way, while not being mean and childish about it.
"It's better to be hated for who you are, then be loved for who you are not." - Montgomery Gentry
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
The group appears to be online again.
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Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
I suspect a certain Australian AG threatened to ban Facebook if they didn't get rid of the group. D:
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
I see two possible scenarios here:
1) A member of Atkinson's staff learned about an organized group opposing the AG's policies and pressured Facebook's staff to shut them down or risk the consequences.
2) A Facebook administrator with an itch to scratch saw the name of the group and thought it was discriminating against Australians, and shut it down on those grounds alone (ie: without bothering to figure out what the name actually meant).
While Atkinson's antics so far don't suggest that scenario #1 is beneath him, for some reason, my instincts are saying that #2 is what actually happened.
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
How much do you bet Atkinson paid to Facebook to take this down and call it a TOS violation
---You are likely to be eaten by a Grue.
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
I doubt it, Facebook is big enough that I doubt they'd be an interested in bribes from an individual unless they were rich.
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Debates are like merry go rounds. Two people take their positions then they go through the same points over and over and over again. Then when it's over they have the same positions they started in.
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
This is definitely an act of discrimination.
What we got here is failure to communicate!
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
Considering Atkinson has sued his own constituents in the past for calling him a "crook", I wouldn't be suprised if he was behind this. Too many of his moves come directly from the Thompson playbook.
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
Ah, if your opponent disagrees with you, don't counter it, just try to silence them completely.
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
Or claim they don't exist.
"That's not ironic. That's justice."
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
Sounds like Mr. Atkinson just discovered how to abuse of the "report" function, like thousands of butthurted douches on Facebook and Youtube.
I told you, mods are insane. They ban everything without doing any research.
------------------------------------------------------------ My DeviantArt Page (aka DeviantCensorship): http://www.darkknightstrikes.deviantart.com
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
Why do I get the feeling the complaints might have ceom fro mthat certain attorney?
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
We need a 'Grow Up Facebook' page. Seriously, when you look at the kinds of groups and fan pages that reside on Facebook, Grow Up Australia is the last one you'd consider taking down.
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
Amen.
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James Fletcher, member of ECA Canada
Re: Facebook Boots Grow Up Australia Group
Grrrrrr here is hoping they can appeal it.
I doubt they were 'slandering' Mr Atkinson too much. Afterall the guy seems to shoot himself in the foot often enough.
"In Soviet Australia, internet censors you!"
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James Fletcher, member of ECA Canada