Facebook apologises for its role in unrest in Sri Lanka

Facebook has apologised for its role in the deadly anti-Muslim riots that took place in Sri Lanka two years ago

Evidence in an investigation had found that hate speech and rumours spread on the social media platform may have led to violence against Muslims, according to Article One, the human rights consultancy hired to conduct the investigation.

The tech giant commissioned a probe into the part it may have played, and investigators said incendiary content on Facebook may have led to violence against Muslims.

"We deplore the misuse of our platform," Facebook said in a statement after the findings were released Tuesday.

"We recognize, and apologize for, the very real human rights impacts that resulted."

The riots in early 2018 had erupted as anti-communal anger was whipped up on social media, forcing the Sri Lankan government to impose a state of emergency and block access to Facebook.

At least three people were killed and 20 injured in the unrest, during which mosques and Muslim businesses were burned, mainly in the central part of the Sinhalese Buddhist-majority nation.