Facebook in 'error' confuses Dorset historical society with banned US right-wing groups
The social media giant disabled the five personal accounts of its leading members, but has since apologised and reinstated them.
Wednesday 9 December 2020 14:30, UK
Seventeenth century historical re-enactors had their Facebook accounts disabled in error after being mistaken for banned right-wing organisations from the US.
The Wimborne Militia, with roughly 60 members, recreates historical moments from the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685 at local events around Wimborne, Dorset.
The group claims five of its members that administer the Facebook page had their personal accounts frozen - leaving them unable to post content.
Facebook said it has now reinstated the individual's accounts.
Earlier this month, the group's Facebook page said: "It seems that due to events overseas, Facebook is deleting anything to do with Militias.
"Unfortunately despite being a British Re-enactment society we seem to have been caught up in the algorithm.
"So if this page disappears that is why. We shall have to start again!"
A Facebook spokesman said: "The group and accounts were removed in error and have now been restored.
"We're sorry for any upset this has caused and we've taken steps to prevent this happening again."
Since October, Facebook has been taking down hundreds of pages and groups linked to US-based militia groups in a bid to tackle growing misinformation and hate speech on the site.
For the same reason it has also been removing thousands of posts related to conspiracy theorists QAnon and any posts relating to Holocaust denial.