This is What Facebook is Doing to Protect Vulnerable Users in Afghanistan

What is happening in Afghanistan is without a doubt very concerning and tragic. Millions across the world are watching the news to see what unfolds in the country that is in the middle of being overthrown by the Taliban.

Social media giant Facebook has taken steps to protect vulnerable users in Afghanistan after Taliban takeover.

This week the company announced new measures where Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook’s head of security policy, published a series of tweets laying out what the company is doing.

For example, the company is rolling out a tool that lets users lock down their profiles with one click, so people who aren’t in their network can’t download their profile pictures or see their posts.

“Over the past week, our teams have been working around the clock to do everything we can to help keep people safe,” Gleicher wrote in a tweet.

The Taliban quickly took control of Afghanistan earlier this month after U.S. President Joe Biden began to withdraw troops and put an end to a 20-year war.

“Like so many others, many of us at Facebook have been watching the tragic events unfolding in Afghanistan,” Gleicher wrote.

He said the company’s new tools were developed with the help of feedback from activists, journalists and civil society groups. Gleicher has said the company has put together a special operations center to respond to new threats as they arise.

“We know that no single step is enough by itself in crises like this, but we’re watching closely as the situation develops and will take steps to help protect people in real time,” Gleicher tweeted.

Disclaimer: We have no position in any of the companies mentioned and have not been compensated for this article.