Facebook is under fire after it’s algorithm to add balloons and confetti to posts that included the word “congratulations” mistranslated the word “slemant,” which in Indonesian can be “translated as both ‘safe’ or ‘unhurt,’ as well as ‘congratulations'”:
Perils of #Algorithms: Selamat can be translated as both “safe” or “unhurt,” as well as “congratulations,” depending on context. @Facebook’s algorithm misinterpreted comments expressing concern for safety of people in Indonesia after the recent earthquake https://t.co/yhH92vXmjS
— Nalaka Gunawardene (@NalakaG) August 8, 2018
Whoops.
Facebook has since apologized for its error:
Facebook apologizes for a feature that added balloons and confetti to posts on the deadly Indonesia earthquake https://t.co/3QFMbAMpQX
— TIME (@TIME) August 9, 2018
Sure, let’s trust Facebook with our bank data. The algorithms can’t screw that up, right?
Would you trust Facebook with your bank account information? Facebook is looking to expand into financial services and has reportedly asked several U.S. banks for customer information. https://t.co/puVQ2l9VYj
— WTHI News10 (@WTHITV) August 9, 2018
As for Indonesia, another earthquake struck the region this morning as the death toll increased to over 300:
Indonesia's Lombok Island was rocked by a third strong earthquake in less than two weeks. The death toll has now topped 300 https://t.co/LP9jMKZv32 pic.twitter.com/IUAO3lUmAa
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) August 9, 2018
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