Israel launches anti-Facebook bill

Israeli Justice Minister Eyelet Shaked and Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan have gone public with details of a proposed bill which will force internet companies to remove content which the government deems to be promoting terror, Safa news agency reported yesterday.

The bill would empower courts to order social media providers like Facebook, Google, YouTube and Twitter to remove content that is in itself criminal as well as constitutes a danger to personal, public or state security.

The proposal comes after Shaked met with top Facebook officials in June. Previously, Facebook has rejected or not replied to many requests by police for the removal of content Israel deems to be criminal or terrorism-promoting.