Facebook users to now petition elected officials for change

by IANS |

San Francisco, Jan 21 (IANS) Facebook is set to launch a petitions feature called "Community Actions" that will let users request change from their local and national elected officials and government agencies.

According to a report in TechCrunch late Sunday, "Community Actions" will be a petition feature in Facebook's News Feed and reach users in the US on Tuesday and other markets later.

"Users can add a title, description, and image to their 'Community Action', and tag relevant government agencies and officials who'll be notified," the report added.

Supporters for any given petition will be able to discuss the topic with fellow supporters, creating events and fundraisers.

However, the "Community Actions" feature could also provide "vocal interest groups a bully pulpit from which to pressure politicians and bureaucrats with their fringe agendas".

According to a Facebook spokesperson, "Community Action" is another way for people to advocate for changes in their communities and partner with elected officials and government agencies on solutions.

Since bad actors can misuse such features, Facebook will use "a combination of user flagging, proactive algorithmic detection, and human enforcers," to safeguard the "Community Action" feature from falling into wrong hands.

"There are some limits already: users can't tag President Donald Trump or Vice President Mike Pence," said another report in The Verge.

Latest News
IPL 2024: KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer hails openers' strokeplay after win over LSG Mon, May 06, 2024, 01:11 PM
Indian-origin Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore to fly to space on Boeing's Starliner on Tuesday Mon, May 06, 2024, 01:08 PM
Ex-CM Hemant Soren moves SC against Jharkhand HC verdict Mon, May 06, 2024, 01:04 PM
Sex videos: As SIT hunts for Prajwal Revanna, sources say JD(S) MP will return after Karnataka LS polls are over Mon, May 06, 2024, 12:42 PM
Excise policy scam: Delhi court denies regular bail to BRS leader K. Kavitha Mon, May 06, 2024, 12:40 PM
'Working closely with host countries to ensure appropriate plans are in place', says ICC official on terror threat to T20 WC Mon, May 06, 2024, 12:24 PM
'It hasn't really sunk in yet', says Kathryn Bryce after Scotland qualify for Women's T20 WC Mon, May 06, 2024, 12:18 PM
Musk invites billionaire investor Warren Buffett to invest in Tesla Mon, May 06, 2024, 12:12 PM
Extreme mercantilism will destroy Chinese civilisation: Zoho's Sridhar Vembu Mon, May 06, 2024, 12:10 PM
Apni Party leader says NC demonises investment to Kashmir as attack on identity Mon, May 06, 2024, 12:05 PM
Shivpal booked for remarks against Mayawati Mon, May 06, 2024, 12:04 PM
Loot model of JMM-Cong confirmed, says BJP after Rs 25 cr found in ED raid Mon, May 06, 2024, 11:57 AM
Why billionaire investor Warren Buffett needs to relook at India under PM Modi Mon, May 06, 2024, 11:54 AM
TN 12th Board exam results announced, 94.56 pass percentage Mon, May 06, 2024, 11:53 AM
BlackSoil invests $49 million in 11 new deals in Q4 Mon, May 06, 2024, 11:48 AM