Facebook "shanking" application removed following uproar

Posted on 28 Jul 2008 at 17:10

Facebook has removed a controversial game that encouraged users to virtually stab other users. "Shank" - a street term meaning "stab" - had been developed as an add-on to the website's Superpoke application.

The Superpoke application was not created by Facebook, but third party developer Slide.com; one of the many independent developers who create content for the website.

The application caused much uproar as a recently published British Crime Survey found that more than 350 knife offences are committed across the country every day. Police announced that they recently arrested 1,214 people in London alone during a six week crackdown on knife crime.

John Knox - the uncle of recent stab victim Rob Knox, who was also an actor in the latest Harry Potter film - told the Sun of his resentment at the fact that such an application could be developed on such a popular social networking site.

"Why the hell would a social networking site for teenagers put something like this forward? If the authorities really want to get tough on knife crime, the CEO or directors of Facebook should be arrested for inciting violence," he said.

"The stupidity of having this on their site is unbelievable. And they deliberately use the street term 'shanked', which is even worse. They are targeting the kids who are on street corners carrying knives. Members can use the shank icon on anyone else with a Facebook profile, who will then receive a message saying they have been "shanked"."

Raymond Stewart of anti-crime group Urban Concepts added: "It's appalling. We completely condemn it."

Facebook and Slide.com were not available for comment.

Author: Dawinderpal Sahota

Get more reviews, tutorials and in-depth advice, every month with Computer Shopper.
Click here to try 3 issues for £1

< Previous News : Software Next >

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to Login or Register to comment.