Facebook tightens control over internal discussion groups, New York Times reports

Facebook Inc. has said it is tightening controls over some internal discussion groups, a move that comes after Frances Haugen, a former employee gathered documents that formed the foundation of The Wall Street Journal s showing the company s platforms are riddled with flaws that can cause harm.

Facebook provides internal discussion groups on an online messaging system called Workplace, where employees can dialogue or exchange ideas. In a memo to employees Tuesday, the social-media giant announced it would restrict who could view group discussions on topics like platform safety and election integrity, the company confirmed. The move by the New York Times to limit internal data access was reported earlier this week by the New York Times.

Leaks decrease the effectiveness, efficiency, and morale of teams operating every day to address the challenges that come with operating a platform for billions of people, Facebook said in a statement. The company said such disclosures can also put employees working on complex subjects at risk externally and lead to sensitive topics being misrepresented and misunderstood. she viewed thousands of political documents, some of which she also shared with the US Congress and the Securities and Exchange Commission ;

She also filed a whistleblower complaint against the SEC with federal authorities.

Facebook has grappled with how to deal with its internal discussion system. Chief Executive said last year the company would attempt to settle internal debate around divisive topics after a spate of disputes and criticism that has As part of that effort, the company planned to spell out which parts of the company s internal messaging platform are acceptable for such discussions, and that those discussions would see careful moderateration when they occur.

Separately, Facebook said Wednesday it was taking steps to combat bullying on its platform and remove content deemed to represent sexual assault on a public figure.

It is important that everyone on our apps feel safe to connect with their communities, said Antigone Davis, Facebook s global head of safety, in a blog post.