Satirical news website Weekly World News has been causing problems for Facebook when a bogus news story claimed the popular social networking site would shut down.
The article, which used fabricated quotes from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Avrat Humarthi, vice president of technical affairs, claimed Facebook would be closed down on 15 March 2011.
Weekly World News quoted from a fictional press conference in which Zuckerberg allegedly said "Facebook has gotten out of control and the stress of managing this company has ruined my life. I need to put an end to all the madness."
Avrat Humarthi was also falsely quoted as saying: "After March 15th the whole website shuts down. So if you ever want to see your pictures again, I recommend you take them off the internet. You won't be able to get them back once Facebook goes out of business."
The story created a rapidly spreading rumour which forced Facebook to issue an official statement on Twitter denying the site closure.
"We didn't get the memo about shutting down," it said, adding: "We aren't going anywhere."
Internet security firm Sophos Labs has been analysing the panic caused by the hoax and have tried to explain how it spread.
Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, said: "I certainly wouldn't disagree that users would be wise to have their own backup of their photographs, rather than rely on Facebook - but it's nothing more than a scare to suggest to people that they have to do it before March 15th because Facebook is going to close down."
"There's an important lesson here - don't believe everything you read on the internet, and think twice before you pass a story on to your friends," he added.
-
Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI launch brace of new channel initiativesNews Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI have announced the launch of two new channel growth initiatives focused on the managed security service provider (MSSP) space and AWS Marketplace.
-
Third time lucky? Microsoft finally begins roll-out of controversial Recall featureNews The Windows Recall feature has been plagued by setbacks and backlash from security professionals
-
Meta to pay $725 million in Cambridge Analytica lawsuit settlementNews The settlement closes the long-running lawsuit into how Facebook's owner, Meta, handled the Cambridge Analytica scandal
-
Meta's earnings are 'cause for concern' and 2023 looks even bleakerAnalysis Calls for investor faith in metaverse tech only emphasise the worries that its investment strategy won't pay off
-
Microsoft and Meta announce integration deal between Teams and WorkplaceNews Features from both business collaboration platforms will be available to users without having to switch apps
-
Facebook is shutting down its controversial facial recognition systemNews The move will see more than a billion facial templates removed from Facebook's records amid a push for more private applications of the technology
-
'Changing name to Meat': Industry reacts to Facebook's Meta rebrandNews The rebrand attempts to provide a clearer distinction between Facebook and its umbrella company
-
Facebook's Oversight Board demands more transparencyNews Board bashed the social media giant for its preferential treatment of certain high-profile accounts
-
Facebook claims AI managed to reduce hate speech by 50%News The social media platform has hit back at claims the tech it uses to fight hate speech is inadequate
-
Facebook to hire 10,000 workers across the EUNews The high-skilled jobs drive is a “vote of confidence” in the European tech industry
