Issue 121 - December 2011 - Page 11

Hoax - Mark Zuckerberg Blames Facebook Porn Attack on the Philippines

Outline
Message, purporting to be a statement from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, claims that security experts at Facebook have traced the origin of the recent Facebook pornographic spam attack to the Philippines. It warns that users in the Philippines will be banned from Facebook if they do not stop sending the spam across the network.

Brief Analysis
The message is an absurd hoax and should not be reposted. Mark Zuckerberg has made no such statement.

Detailed analysis and references below example.

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Last updated: 18th November 2011
First published: 18th November 2011
Article written by Brett M. Christensen
About Brett Christensen and Hoax-Slayer

Example

The porn attacks originated in the Philippines and are being published by Filipinos all over Facebook, our experts here at Facebook are doing everything they can to stop it from spreading any further (outside the Philippines) and to eliminate the porn and spam threat completely which have been causing other Facebook users ‘a hard time’. Filipinos should also be vigilant and report any spam links and pornographic materials. 41% of Facebook members around the world are aged 12-17 years old, we cannot them be exposed to this kinds of things through Facebook. If this continues and more spams keep being posted, we will have no choice but to ban Philippine users from using Facebook. We at Facebook will not tolerate outlandish behavior and indecency.

-Mark Zuckerberg – CEO of Facebook

Filiponos Origin for Porn Attack Hoax

Detailed Analysis
This message began circulating soon after the November 2011 Facebook porn attack began to subside. According to the message, which presents itself as a statement from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, security experts have now identified the Philippines as the location where the porn attack originated. The message warns that, if the spam attack should continue, then Facebook will have "no choice" but to ban all users in the Philippines from accessing the network.

However, the claims in the message are utter nonsense and should not be reposted. Mark Zuckerberg has made no such statement. Nor has anyone else from Facebook. There are no credible news reports that support the claims in the message in any way whatsoever.

Media reports do indicate that the team dedicated to investigating the attack has identified those responsible but has not yet named them. At the time of writing, Facebook has not stated where in the world the attackers are located. But, even if some or all of these attackers did happen to be in the Philippines, then Facebook would certainly not be so foolish and discriminatory as to ban the entire nation from using their network. The claim is simply ridiculous.

It is so far unclear where this silly rumour originated. Spreading this nonsense will cause unwarranted concern and alarm among Filipino users as well as add to the general confusion and paranoia regarding the recent attack. It may also cause other users to unfairly lay the blame for the porn attack on the Philippines. If you receive this message, please do not repost it. And please take a moment to let the sender know that the message is a hoax

References
Facebook explains pornographic shock spam, hints at browser vulnerability
Facebook to Porn Spammers: We Know Who You Are
Recent Facebook Porn Attack Highlights Dangers of Misleading 'Security' Warnings

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