Facebook has publicly apologized for the bug, which has caused major problems to users yesterday, removing existing posts, blocking links that have been posted, and concealing pictures and links. The error caused several incidents of laughter and crying.
Some users who were at the time trying to browse the social network reported that the following message was displayed:
Link Blocked
We believe the link you are trying to visit is malicious. For your safety we have blocked it. Learn more about keeping your account secure. If you think this link should not be blocked, please let us know.
In GREEK
The League Excluded
We think the link you are trying to visit is maliciouss. For your safety it has been blocked. Learn more about keeping your account secure. If you think this link should not be blocked, please let us know.
The error coincided with the political upheaval in Baltimore, and some users suspected that Facebook claimed their content:
[tweet_embed id = 593891001049214978]Facebook has blocked content, links and photos related to #FreddieGray and the #Baltimore protests
Other Facebook users believing in Greek publications news channels they believed they were hit by a super virus.
Explaining the issue, which seems to have been resolved, a spokesman for Facebook said:
An error in our system, which helps block bad links in Facebok, has incorrectly flagged some URLs as malicious or inappropriate. As a result, some publications did not appear, while others were completely blocked. We have resolved the issue and all affected URLs have been unblocked. We apologize for the inconvenience we have caused.
The error arose in the Facebok system that examines images and automatically removes them from common links. Instantly reference was made to Facebok's developer forums, and the technical service pledged a quick solution.
So this morning the problem seems to have been repaired.