Thread by @GoAngelo

1/ The way Facebook is handling this QAnon ban is alarming and deceitful.

So, FB announced a ban on QAnon yesterday. *After* announcement, they began telling reporters that it would take a few weeks to implement.

Yikes. Don't get fooled. Here's why that is deceptive and bad...

2/ By announcing the ban, but not being able to fully enforce it nearly immediately, what Facebook is doing is giving the QAnon community an opportunity to do two things: a) adapt/modify their pages to avoid ban; and, b) transition to other platforms w/out.

3/ But it gets worse. There is actually no reason at all for the lagging enforcement.

Back in August, Facebook banned *violent* QAnon communities - a subset of QAnon. During that action, they already largely compiled and identified the Q communities to assess for violence.

4/ FB didn't even effectively enforce this policy. We identified dozens of QAnon groups that violated FB's explicitly calls for violence exception; FB ultimately removed them (after they were flagged and some nudging).

But the larger point here is that: they already had the list

5/ Put another way, before they announced this ban, Facebook already ha QAnon universe mapped out. There is no reason at all for the lag time in removing the accounts nor is there a reason why FB is still recommending the content. Their "we need a few weeks" line doesn't stand up

6/ FB put this announcement out now in hopes of getting positive publicity and storyline that they are taking action.

But it's not just a hollow publicity stunt. Recognize: the way FB is approaching this is actually helping QAnon community avoid effects of deplatforming.

7/ A lot of the headlines are focusing on FB's ban of QAnon. And, indeed, I understand why. But I think that's only part of story given how they are handling.

I think the more accurate headline is: Facebook Helps QAnon Avoid Effects of Upcoming Ban.

8/ Tldr: First, Facebook help QAnon metastasize by ignoring it and actually promoting the growth of QAnon communities (100%+ since April, most growth coming from FB recommendations). They're now tiptoeing their way to enforcement giving QAnon a chance to adapt and avoid.

9/ Let's be careful not to get fooled by FB's public relations.

If this was some brand new thing, I could understand a rationale for needing some time to enforce it. But frankly, that's just not the issue here at all. And anything less than full enforcement by them is bs.