EXCLUSIVE: A peaceful protester was subject to racial abuse and threats - all because of a case of mistaken identity online. He's spoken exclusively to BBC News.
False claims that led to racist abuse were removed by Facebook - but not Twitter.
bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-tre…
False claims that led to racist abuse were removed by Facebook - but not Twitter.
bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-tre…
I’m really grateful to Momo for speaking to me about this.
Not only does it highlight the dangers of misinformation in this setting - but raises big questions about whether social media sites are doing enough to tackle racist abuse and misinformation!
Not only does it highlight the dangers of misinformation in this setting - but raises big questions about whether social media sites are doing enough to tackle racist abuse and misinformation!
Momo received a message from a journalist that confused him. Then a concerned friend sent him a Facebook post. It featured this photo of him from a #BlackLivesMatter protest 👇
Abuse dominated the comments. That includes threats like “He should be hanged, drawn and quartered!"
Abuse dominated the comments. That includes threats like “He should be hanged, drawn and quartered!"
Facebook posts and tweets were accusing him of torching the Union Jack at the Cenotaph. A video of someone seemingly trying to do that during protests had gone viral.
But it was a case of mistaken identity - obvious from even the most cursory check!
But it was a case of mistaken identity - obvious from even the most cursory check!
The 23-year-old Londoner is a recent graduate, working as a tutor and looking to set up a sustainable fashion brand.
On Wednesday 3 June, he joined peaceful anti-racism protests in London. He donned a red, white and blue anorak and, carrying a sign: "The UK invented racism".
On Wednesday 3 June, he joined peaceful anti-racism protests in London. He donned a red, white and blue anorak and, carrying a sign: "The UK invented racism".
He deliberated for a few days about posting the photo of himself at the protests on his social media accounts, but eventually did on the following Monday, 8 June.
Unbeknownst to him, something significant had happened in between!
Unbeknownst to him, something significant had happened in between!
There was an incident at the Cenotaph seemingly involving a Union Jack flag at protests 4 days later on Sunday.
Pictures and news reports clearly show a person atop the monument's plinth. Like Momo, she was wearing a red, white and blue anorak👇
Pictures and news reports clearly show a person atop the monument's plinth. Like Momo, she was wearing a red, white and blue anorak👇
But that’s where the similarity ends.
Momo bears little resemblance to the woman pictured. They have different face shapes and builds - plus their anoraks’ patterns are different.
But apparently fuelling the online claims is one thing they have in common: they are both black.
Momo bears little resemblance to the woman pictured. They have different face shapes and builds - plus their anoraks’ patterns are different.
But apparently fuelling the online claims is one thing they have in common: they are both black.
The Metropolitan Police say a 20-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in connection with the incident at the Cenotaph. She has been bailed to a later date in July.
Facebook has now removed the posts for violating its rules on abuse, however @Twitter has not removed the most viral tweet promoting the false claims - that have led to racial abuse.
Both social media sites say they do not accept abuse and harrassment of users.
Both social media sites say they do not accept abuse and harrassment of users.
Since the false claims remain on Twitter, they continue to be re-shared and Momo continues to be subject to racist abuse.
This incident raises big questions about how far social media platforms go to protect users - like Momo - from racial abuse.
This incident raises big questions about how far social media platforms go to protect users - like Momo - from racial abuse.
Despite dozens of people pointing out the clear case of mistaken identity, many other accounts sharing Momo's picture have not corrected their posts or taken them down!
"It shows the importance of fact-checking - and the Black Lives Matter movement,” Momo explained to me.
"It shows the importance of fact-checking - and the Black Lives Matter movement,” Momo explained to me.
He says this situation really highlights the dehumanisation of black people online.
“People just see a picture, people just see a face. People don't see a human with a family.”
Momo fears for his and his family’s safety. It shouldn’t be that way.
“People just see a picture, people just see a face. People don't see a human with a family.”
Momo fears for his and his family’s safety. It shouldn’t be that way.
There will no doubt be more misleading, false and harmful claims being made on social media as anti-racism protests continue.
This kind of misinformation may be shared to divide, polarise or incite racial abuse - so how can you avoid it?
This kind of misinformation may be shared to divide, polarise or incite racial abuse - so how can you avoid it?
Whenever you come across a post like this:
🔺Think about motive - check out the account and language used.
🔺Interrogate the claim. One look at the video and it’s obvious this is false.
🔺Remember real people are impacted by online abuse and misinformation causes harm.
🔺Think about motive - check out the account and language used.
🔺Interrogate the claim. One look at the video and it’s obvious this is false.
🔺Remember real people are impacted by online abuse and misinformation causes harm.
Plus I spoke to @BBCBreakfast about how this fits into the bigger picture of misinformation.
And the questions it raises about what’s being done by social media sites to protect users from false claims that lead to racist abuse!
And the questions it raises about what’s being done by social media sites to protect users from false claims that lead to racist abuse!
I spoke to @JaneHillNews @BBCWorld about this report - following on from Momo’s powerful interview.
Here I give tips on how to spot harmful misleading claims like those Momo experienced - as we look towards another weekend of anti-racism protests👇
bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-tre…
Here I give tips on how to spot harmful misleading claims like those Momo experienced - as we look towards another weekend of anti-racism protests👇
bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-tre…
