Facebook Safety Check

{{short description|Feature managed by the social networking company Facebook}}

{{Update|part=Other deployments|reason=Additional events|date=September 2022}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}

File:Facebook Safety Check.png, United Kingdom]]

Facebook Safety Check (sometimes called Facebook Crisis Response) is a feature managed by the social networking company Facebook. The feature is activated by the company during natural or man-made disasters and terror-related incidents to quickly determine whether people in the affected geographical area are safe.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/about/safetycheck|title = Facebook Safety Check |access-date=April 27, 2015 |publisher=Facebook}}

History

= Release =

The feature was developed by Facebook engineers, inspired by people's use of social media to connect with friends and family in the wake of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2014/10/16/facebook-launches-disaster-notification-feature-safety-check/|title = Facebook 'Safety Check' Tells Your Friends That You Are Safe During A Disaster in the Area|date = October 16, 2014|access-date = April 27, 2015|magazine = Forbes|last = Chowdhry|first = Amit}}{{cite magazine|url = https://www.fastcompany.com/40432085/how-facebooks-growth-team-used-science-and-empathy-to-reach-two-billion-users|title = How Facebook Used Science And Empathy To Reach Two Billion Users. Facebook's growth team has a methodical approach to understanding what new users want, and a surprisingly broad mandate.|date = June 27, 2017|access-date = July 9, 2017|magazine = Fast Company}} Originally named the Disaster Message Board, it was renamed to Safety Check prior to release. It was introduced on October 15, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.fb.com/news/2014/10/introducing-safety-check|title = Introducing Safety Check|publisher = Facebook|date = October 15, 2014|access-date = April 27, 2015|last1 = Gleit|first1 = Naomi|author-link = Naomi Gleit | last2 = Zeng|first2 = Sharon|last3 = Cottle|first3 = Peter}}{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/zuck/posts/10101699265809491|title = Today we announced the launch of Safety Check on Facebook.|last = Zuckerberg|first = Mark|author-link = Mark Zuckerberg|date = October 15, 2014|access-date = April 27, 2015|publisher = Facebook}} Its first major deployment was on Saturday, April 25, 2015, in the wake of the April 2015 Nepal earthquake.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/nepalearthquake/|title = Safety Check for Nepal Earthquake|publisher = Facebook|access-date = April 27, 2015}} The tool was deployed again in the wake of the May 2015 Nepal earthquake,{{cite web |url=http://now.snopes.com/2015/05/13/nepal-facebook-safety-check/ |title=Facebook Safety Check Confusion After Nepal Earthquake |last=LaCapria |first=Kim |website=Snopes |date=May 13, 2015 |access-date=May 14, 2015 }}{{dead link|date=October 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} during Pacific Hurricane Patricia in October 2015, and during the November 2015 Paris attacks, the latter being the first time the tool was used in response to a non-natural disaster.{{cite web|url=http://cnnmon.ie/1SqJ6E0|title = Facebook activates 'Safety Check' during Paris attack|date = November 13, 2015|access-date = November 14, 2015|website = CNNMoney|last = Pallotta|first = Frank}} On March 22, 2016, during reports of explosions at an airport and train station in Brussels, the feature was turned on again, but there was a delay in turning it on after it was revealed it was a suicide bomber attack.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/brussels-attacks-facebook-safety-check-activated-belgium-zaventem-airport-maalbeek-metro-station-a6945636.html|title=Brussels attacks: Facebook Safety Check activated following deadly explosions at airport and Metro station|last=Griffin|first=Andrew|date=March 22, 2016|work=The Independent|access-date=September 4, 2016}}

On June 2, 2016, Facebook announced that it would start experimenting with community-activated Safety Checks. With the new system, Safety Check would be activated based on combination of a certain number of people posting about a particular crisis plus an alert from one of Facebook's third-party sources. Users would also be able to share and spread the word about the Safety Check once it was activated. Facebook hoped the changes would lead to more consistent, frequent, and streamlined deployments around the world.{{cite web|url = https://code.facebook.com/posts/1031317120284314?__mref=message_bubble&pnref=story|title = Safety Check: Streamlining deployment around the world|last = Cottle|first = Peter|date = June 2, 2016|access-date = June 2, 2016|publisher = Facebook}}{{cite news|url = https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/02/facebooks-taking-a-more-community-driven-approach-to-safety-check/|title = Facebook to enable community-activated Safety Check|author = Megan Rose Dickey|date = June 2, 2016|work = TechCrunch|access-date = June 2, 2016}}{{cite web|url = https://www.pcmag.com/news/344935/facebook-alters-safety-check-to-improve-accuracy|title = Facebook Alters Safety Check to Improve Accuracy|last = Brant|first = Tom|date = June 2, 2016|access-date = June 2, 2016|publisher = PCMag}}

On February 8, 2017, Facebook introduced a Community Help feature to the Safety Check crisis response tool.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/facebook-safety-check-community-help-search-shelter-crisis/|title=Facebook will help you find food and shelter in emergencies|website=CNET|author=Alfred Ng|date=February 8, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2017}} It allows users to search through categorized posts, offer local assistance, and connect with providers over Facebook Messenger.{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/08/community-help/|title=Facebook Safety Check now lets locals find and offer Community Help like shelter|work=TechCrunch|author=Josh Constine|date=February 8, 2017|access-date=February 15, 2017}} In June 2017, Facebook announced several updates to Safety Check, including the Community Help feature coming to desktops. It was also made possible for users to start fundraisers from within Safety Check.{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/14/facebooks-safety-check-will-integrate-fundraisers-among-other-upgrades/|title=Facebook's Safety Check will integrate fundraisers, among other upgrades {{!}} TechCrunch|last=Perez|first=Sarah|access-date=June 15, 2017}}

= Deployment in the context of the Nepal earthquake =

{{further|April 2015 Nepal earthquake}}

On Saturday, April 25, 2015, an earthquake struck Nepal, with an estimated loss of a few thousand lives. Within a few hours of the earthquake hitting, Facebook had activated Safety Check in the region.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/zuck/posts/10102050030813611|title = This morning we activated Safety Check for people affected by the earthquake in Nepal.|last = Zuckerberg|first = Mark|date = April 25, 2015|access-date = April 27, 2015|publisher = Facebook}} It identified users as possibly being in the affected area by their current city as listed on their profile, as well as the place from which they had most recently accessed Facebook.{{cite web|url=http://www.mashable.com/2015/04/25/facebook-safety-check-nepal-earthquake/|title = Facebook Safety Check connects those affected by devastating Nepal earthquake|last = Levine|first = Brittany|date = April 25, 2015|access-date = April 27, 2015|website = Mashable}} The desktop version of Safety Check also provided a brief synopsis of the event and emergency contact numbers.

During the activation more than 7 million people in the affected area were marked safe, which generated notifications to over 150 million friends on the platform.{{Cite web|title = Mark Zuckerberg – Timeline Photos – Facebook|url = https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10102060884238261&set=a.612287952871.2204760.4&type=3&theater|website = Facebook|access-date = December 8, 2015}}

The tool was deployed again in the wake of the May 2015 Nepal earthquake, and received attention when some people outside the affected area were reported by Facebook as marked safe.

= Deployment during November Paris attacks =

Facebook deployed the feature during November 2015 Paris attacks.{{cite magazine|url = http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2015/11/13/facebook_safety_check_feature_used_during_paris_attacks.html|title = Facebook Has Enabled Its "Safety Check" Feature So People in Paris Can Tell Loved Ones They're OK|author = Lily Hay Newman|magazine = Slate|date = November 14, 2015|access-date = November 14, 2015}} This was the first time Facebook activated the feature for a violent attack (or any non-natural disaster), mentioning that the policy for activation and the product itself is an ongoing work in progress.{{cite web|url = https://www.facebook.com/fbsafety/posts/930229667014872|title = Facebook Safety Page Post | author = Alex Schultz |website = Facebook | date = November 14, 2015 | access-date = November 15, 2015}}

= Other deployments =

class="wikitable" border="1"
Location

! Event

! Reference

! Notes

Nigeria

| Boko Haram bombings (late November 2015)

| {{cite web|url = https://www.theverge.com/2015/11/18/9753442/facebook-safety-check-nigeria-bombing|title = Facebook Safety Check activated again after Nigeria bombing |last = McCormick|first = Rich|website = The Verge|date = November 18, 2015|access-date = December 3, 2015}}

| Announcing the activation on his Facebook timeline, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote that unfortunately, incidents like this were all too common and he would not announce individual activations of Safety Check in the future. However, he urged people to be optimistic and realize that the frequency of such incidents was going down on the whole.{{cite web|url = https://www.facebook.com/zuck/posts/10102481809620421?pnref=story|title = We've activated Safety Check again after the bombing in Nigeria this evening.|date = November 18, 2015|access-date = December 3, 2015|publisher = Facebook|last = Zuckerberg|first = Mark|author-link = Mark Zuckerberg}}

Chennai, India

| 2015 South Indian floods

| {{cite magazine|url = https://time.com/4134203/facebook-safety-check-chennai-flooding-rains/|title = Facebook Has Activated Safety Check in India for the Chennai Floods|last = Iyengar|first = Rishi|date = December 2, 2015|access-date = December 3, 2015|magazine = Time}}

|

Ankara, Turkey

| February 2016 Ankara bombing

| {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/ankaraexplosion-feb17-2016/|title=Facebook Safety Check: Explosion in Ankara, Turkey|website=Facebook |access-date=September 14, 2016}}

|First operational use in Turkey.

Ankara, Turkey

| March 2016 Ankara bombing

| {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/ankaraturkey-explosion-mar13-2016/|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Explosion in Ankara, Turkey|website=Facebook |access-date=September 14, 2016}}

|

Brussels, Belgium

| 2016 Brussels bombings (March 22, 2016)

| David Cohen, [http://www.adweek.com/socialtimes/safety-check-brussels-bombings/636384 Facebook Activates Safety Check for Brussels Bombings], AdWeek (March 22, 2016).

|

Lahore, Pakistan

| 2016 Lahore bombing

| {{cite news|last1=Bhuiyan|first1=Johanna|title=Facebook Accidentally Pushes Lahore Safety Check Notification Worldwide|url=http://recode.net/2016/03/27/facebook-lahore-safety-check-notifications/|access-date=March 28, 2016|work=re/code|date=March 27, 2016}}

| Facebook accidentally sent notifications asking whether users were safe to Facebook users around the world, even those who were nowhere near Pakistan.

Orlando area, Florida, United States

| Orlando nightclub shooting (June 12, 2016)

| Julie Shapiro, [https://time.com/4365368/orlando-shooting-nightclub-facebook-safety-check/ Facebook Activates Safety Check for Orlando Nightclub Shooting], Time (June 12, 2016).Justin Boggs, [http://www.nbc26.com/news/national/facebook-activates-safety-check-for-orlando-residents Facebook activates Safety Check for Orlando residents], WGBA-TV (June 12, 2016).

| First operational use in the United States.

Antananarivo, Madagascar

| Explosion in Mahamasina Municipal Stadium, Antananarivo (June 26, 2016)

| {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/antananarivomadagascar-explosion-jun26-2016/|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Explosion in Antananarivo, Madagascar|website=Facebook |access-date=January 27, 2017}}

|

Istanbul, Turkey

| 2016 Atatürk Airport attack

| {{cite web|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/facebook-ataturk-havalimanindaki-saldiridan-sonra-guvende-misin-butonunu-acti,347617|title=Facebook, Atatürk Havalimanı'ndaki saldırıdan sonra 'Güvende misin' butonunu açtı|access-date=September 14, 2016}}

|

Dallas, Texas, United States

| 2016 shooting of Dallas police officers

| {{Cite web|url=http://abc13.com/news/facebook-activates-safety-check-feature-in-dallas/1418638/|title=Facebook activates safety check feature in Dallas|date=July 8, 2016|language=en-US|access-date=July 8, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/dallastexas-violent-crime-jul07-2016/|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Violent Crime in Dallas, Texas|website=Facebook |language=en-US|access-date=July 8, 2016}}

|

Nice, France

| 2016 Nice truck attack

| {{cite web|title=Facebook activates Safety Check after truck attack kills dozens in Nice, France|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/facebook-activates-safety-check-after-truck-attack-kills-dozens-in-nice-france/|website=CNET|access-date=August 8, 2016}}

|

Munich, Germany

| 2016 Munich shooting at OEZ (July 22, 2016)

| {{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/munich-germany-shooting-jul22-2016/|title=Facebook Safety Check: Munich Germany Shooting|website=Facebook |language=en-US|access-date=July 22, 2016}}

|

Quetta, Pakistan

| 8 August 2016 Quetta bombing

| {{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37007661 | title=Pakistan hospital bomb attack kills dozens in Quetta | work=BBC | date=August 8, 2016 | access-date=August 8, 2016}}

|

Gothenburg, Sweden

| Hand grenade attack on apartment building that killed an 8-year-old boy (August 22, 2016)

| {{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/22/birmingham-schoolboy-killed-in-grenade-explosion-in-sweden|title=Birmingham schoolboy 'killed in grenade explosion in Sweden'|last=Agencies|date=August 22, 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=August 22, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/gothenburg-explosion-aug21-2016/|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Explosion in Gothenburg|website=Facebook |language=en-US|access-date=August 22, 2016}}

|

Central Italy

| August 2016 Central Italy earthquake (August 24, 2016)

| Heather Kelly, [https://money.cnn.com/2016/08/24/technology/mark-zuckerberg-italy/ Mark Zuckerberg headed to Italy after earthquake], CNN Money (August 25, 2016).

|

Tel Aviv, Israel

| Tel Aviv building collapse (September 5, 2016)

| {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/tel-aviv-building-collapse-sep05-2016/|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Building Collapse in Tel Aviv, Israel|website=Facebook |access-date=January 27, 2017}}

| Facebook activated it in a small distribution as a pilot in order to expand the feature.

Davao City, Philippines

| 2016 Davao City bombing (September 2, 2016)

| {{cite web|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/09/03/Davao-blast-Facebook-Safety-Check.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904210242/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/09/03/Davao-blast-Facebook-Safety-Check.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 4, 2016|title=Facebook's 'Safety Check' enabled after Davao blast|access-date=September 14, 2016}}

|

New York City, United States

| 2016 Chelsea bombing

| James Rogers, [https://www.foxnews.com/tech/facebook-activates-safety-check-service-after-new-york-city-explosion/ Facebook activates Safety Check service after New York City explosion], Fox News (September 18, 2016).

|

Hoboken, New Jersey, United States

| 2016 Hoboken train crash at Hoboken Terminal (September 29, 2016)

| {{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Facebook-Safety-Check-Hoboken-Train-Crash-395269791.html|title=Facebook Turns on Hoboken Safety Check|publisher=NBC New York|date=September 29, 2016|access-date=September 29, 2016}}

|

Brussels, Belgium

|2016 stabbing of Brussels police officers (October 5, 2016)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/crisisresponse/schaerbeek-attack-oct05-2016|title=Crisis Response: The Attack in Schaerbeek|work=Facebook|access-date=September 8, 2018|language=en-US}}

|

Kaikōura, Blenheim, Christchurch, Wellington, New Zealand.

| 2016 Kaikōura earthquake (November 14, 2016)

| {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/christchurch-new-zealand-earthquake-nov14-2016/|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand|website=Facebook |access-date=January 27, 2017}}

|

Haifa, Israel

| November 2016 Israel fires (November 24, 2016)

| {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/haifa-israel-fire-nov24-2016/|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Fires in Haifa, Israel|website=Facebook |access-date=January 27, 2017}}

| First operational use in Israel.

Columbus, Ohio, United States

| Ohio State University attack (November 28, 2016)

| {{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/columbus-ohio-violent-crime-nov28-2016/|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Violent Incident in Columbus, Ohio|website=Facebook |access-date=January 27, 2017}}

|

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States

|2016 Wildfire in Gatlinburg area (November 28, 2016)

|{{Cite news|url=http://www.local8now.com/content/news/Facebook-activates-safety-feature-for-Gatlinburg-fire-403510166.html|title=Facebook activates safety feature for Gatlinburg fire|author=WVLT Staff|access-date=December 20, 2016}}

|

Oakland, California, United States

|2016 Oakland warehouse fire (December 2, 2016)

|{{Cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Facebook-Safety-Check-activated-for-Oakland-10689544.php|title=Facebook Safety Check activated for Oakland Inferno that killed 9, and left 25 missing|newspaper=SFGate|access-date=December 3, 2016}}

|

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

|10-Alarm fire in residential neighborhood (December 4, 2016)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/12/03/facebook-turns-its-safety-check-feature-for-cambridge-fire/jBPzVWdokaOmsi3CXVVFON/story.html|title=Facebook turns on its 'Safety Check' feature for Cambridge fire - The Boston Globe|newspaper=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=December 20, 2016}}

|

Chennai, India

|Cyclone Vardah hits India (December 12, 2016)

|{{Cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2016/12/12/cyclone-vardah-facebook-safety-check/|title=Facebook enables safety check in India as Cyclone Vardah makes landfall|last=Singh|first=Manish|website=Mashable|access-date=December 20, 2016}}

|

Gothenburg, Sweden

| Hand grenade attack on apartment building (December 15, 2016)

| {{Cite news|url=http://www.gp.se/nyheter/göteborg/explosion-i-bostadsområde-i-göteborg-1.4048874|title=Explosion i bostadsområde i Göteborg}}

|

Berlin, Germany

|2016 Berlin truck attack (December 19, 2016)

|{{cite web|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Attack in Berlin, Germany|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/berlin-germany-attack-dec19-2016/|website=Facebook|access-date=December 19, 2016}}

|

Jerusalem

|January 2017 Jerusalem vehicular attack (January 8, 2017)

|{{cite web|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Attack in Jerusalem, Israel|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/jerusalem-israel-attack-jan08-2017/|website=Facebook|access-date=January 8, 2017}}

|

Jersey Village, Texas, United States

|Jersey Village tornado (January 16, 2017)

|{{cite web|title=Facebook Safety Check: Jersay Village Texas Tornado|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/jersey-village-texas-tornado-jan16-2017/|website=Facebook|access-date=January 16, 2017}}

|

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

|Playa del Carmen violent incident (January 16, 2017)

|{{cite web|title=Facebook Safety Check: Playa del Carmen violent crime|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/playa-del-carmen-mexico-violent-crime-jan16-2017/|website=Facebook|access-date=January 16, 2017}}

|First operational use in Mexico

Christchurch, New Zealand

|Port Hills wildfire (February 13, 2017)

|{{cite web|title=Safety Check for The Wildfire in Christchurch, New Zealand|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/christchurch-new-zealand-wildfire-feb13-2017/|website=Facebook|access-date=February 22, 2017}}

|

London, United Kingdom

|2017 Westminster attack (March 22, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/22/facebook-activates-safety-check-following-westminster-attack/|title=Facebook activates Safety Check following London terror attack as #PrayForLondon trends|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=March 22, 2017|language=en-GB}}

|

Saint-Petersburg, Russia

|2017 Saint Petersburg Metro attack (April 3, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=http://24-lenta.ru/?news=5007|title=Facebook запустил Safety Check для петербуржцев.|work=Lenta 24|access-date=April 3, 2017|language=ru-RU}}

|First operational use in Russia

Stockholm, Sweden

|2017 Stockholm truck attack (April 7, 2017)

|{{cite news|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Attack in Stockholm, Sweden|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/stockholm-sweden-attack-apr07-2017/|access-date=April 7, 2017|work=Facebook}}

|

Manchester, England

|Manchester Arena bombing (May 22, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/manchester-united-kingdom-explosion-may22-2017 |title=The Explosion in Manchester, United Kingdom |access-date=July 18, 2017}}

|

Jakarta, Indonesia

|2017 Kampung Melayu bombings (May 24, 2017)

|{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/crisisresponse/703055529894580|title=The Explosion in Jatinegara, Jawa Barat, Indonesia|website=Facebook}}

|First operational use in Indonesia

Pernambuco, Brazil

|2017 Pernambuco and Alagoas floods (May 27, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/the-flooding-in-alagoas-and-pernambuco-brazil-may27-2017/|title=The Flooding in Alagoas and Pernambuco, Brazil}}

|

London, England

|2017 London Bridge attack (June 3, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/the-attack-in-london-united-kingdom-jun03-2017/home/|title=The Attack in London, United Kingdom}}

|

Cape Town, South Africa

|June 2017 storm

|{{cite web|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Storm in Cape Town, Western Cape|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/cape-town-western-cape-storm-jun06-2017/|website=Facebook|access-date=June 7, 2017}}

|First operational use in South Africa

Knysna, South Africa

|June 2017 wildfires

|{{cite web|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Fire in Knysna, Western Cape|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/knysna-western-cape-fire-jun07-2017/home/|website=Facebook|access-date=June 8, 2017}}

|

London, England

|Grenfell Tower fire (June 14, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/the-fire-in-london-united-kingdom-a7789231.html|title=Facebook safety check has been switched on across London|date=June 14, 2017|work=The Independent|access-date=June 14, 2017|language=en-GB}}

|

Split, Croatia

|Split wildfire (June 16–18, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=http://www.telegram.hr/zivot/facebook-je-prvi-put-kod-nas-aktivirao-safety-check-dirljivo-je-kako-ljudi-jedni-drugima-masovno-nude-pomoc/|title=Facebook je prvi put kod nas aktivirao Safety Check; dirljivo je kako ljudi jedni drugima masovno nude pomoć|date=July 18, 2017|work=Telegram.hr|access-date=July 18, 2017|language=hr-HR}}

|First operational use in Croatia

Barcelona, Spain

|2017 Barcelona attacks (August 17, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/3677559/barcelona-attack-facebook-safety-check/|title= Barcelona attack: Facebook activates safety check feature|date=August 17, 2017}}

|First operational use in Spain

Turku, Finland

|Turku stabbing (August 18, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/the-attack-in-turku-finland-aug18-2017/about/|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Attack in Turku, Finland|work=Facebook|access-date=August 18, 2017|language=en-US}}

|First operational use in Finland{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}

Hong Kong and Macao

|Typhoon Hato (August 22, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/typhoon-hato-aug22-2017/about/|title=Facebook Safety Check: Typhoon Hato|work=Facebook|access-date=August 22, 2017|language=en-US}}

|First operational use in Hong Kong and Macao

Romania

|Western Romania storm (September 17, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/the-storm-in-western-romania-sep17-2017/about/|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Storm in Western Romania|work=Facebook|access-date=September 17, 2017|language=en-US}}

|First operational use in Romania{{Cite news|url=http://www.digi24.ro/stiri/sci-tech/lumea-digitala/facebook-a-activat-pentru-prima-data-in-romania-functia-safety-check-795544|title=Facebook a activat, pentru prima dată în România, funcția "Safety Check"|access-date=September 18, 2017|language=RO}}

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|2017 Las Vegas shooting (October 1, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/safetycheck/the-violent-incident-in-las-vegas-nevada-oct01-2017/|title=Facebook Safety Check: The Violent Incident in Las Vegas, Nevada|work=Facebook|access-date=October 4, 2017|language=en-US}}

|

Czech Republic, Germany, Poland

|Storm Herwart (October 29, 2017)

|{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/crisisresponse/storm-grzegorz-in-poland-oct29-2017/|title=Storm Grzegorz in Poland|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/crisisresponse/storm-herwart-in-germany-oct29-2017/|title=Storm Herwart in Germany|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/crisisresponse/storm-herwart-in-czech-republic-oct29-2017/|title=Storm Herwart in Czech Republic|language=en-US}}

|

Surabaya, Indonesia

|2018 Surabaya bombings (May 13, 2018)

|{{cite web|title=Facebook Aktifkan Safety Check Bom Surabaya, Begini Menggunakannya|author=Rachmatunnisa |url=https://inet.detik.com/cyberlife/d-4018987/facebook-aktifkan-safety-check-bom-surabaya-begini-menggunakannya|work=Detik.com|date=May 13, 2018|language=id|access-date=May 14, 2018}}

|

Lombok, Indonesia

|August 2018 Lombok earthquake (August 5, 2018)

|{{cite web|title=Turis di Lombok & Bali, Ayo Pakai Fitur Safety Check di Facebook|url=https://travel.detik.com/travel-news/d-4151499/turis-di-lombok--bali-ayo-pakai-fitur-safety-check-di-facebook?_ga=2.157078204.665136548.1533514241-2122087196.1514282302|website=Detik|access-date=August 6, 2018|language=id}}

|

Utrecht, Netherlands

|Utrecht tram shooting (March 18, 2019)

|{{Cite web|url=https://nos.nl/liveblog/2276579-derde-verdachte-aangehouden-gemeente-maakt-uit-respect-identiteit-slachtoffers-niet-bekend.html|website=NOS|language=nl|title=NOS liveblog tramaanslag in Utrecht}}

|First operational use in the Netherlands

Australia

|2019–20 Australian bushfire season

|{{Cite web|date=January 7, 2020|title=Facebook Will Match Donations For Australian Wildfires Recovery|url=https://wersm.com/facebook-will-match-donations-for-australian-wildfires-recovery/|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=WeRSM - We are Social Media|language=en-US}}

|

Jakarta, Indonesia

|2020 Greater Jakarta flooding (January 1, 2020)

|{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/crisisresponse/2241356892828293|title=The Flooding Across Jakarta Metropolitan Area, Indonesia|website=Facebook}}

|

Jakarta, Indonesia

|January 2020 Jakarta floods

|{{Cite web|last=Media|first=Kompas Cyber|date=January 1, 2020|title=Facebook Aktifkan Safety Check untuk Banjir di Jabodetabek|url=https://tekno.kompas.com/read/2020/01/02/06500007/facebook-aktifkan-safety-check-untuk-banjir-di-jabodetabek|access-date=May 7, 2021|website=KOMPAS.com|language=id}}

|

Bandung Regency, Indonesia

|January 2020 Bandung floods

|{{Cite web|last=Ramadhanny|first=Fitraya|title=Facebook Bikin Fitur Safety Check untuk Banjir Jabodetabek|url=https://inet.detik.com/cyberlife/d-4843433/facebook-bikin-fitur-safety-check-untuk-banjir-jabodetabek|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=detikinet|language=id}}

|

Houston, Texas, US

|January 2020 Houston explosions

|{{Cite web|last=Cochran|first=Amanda|date=January 24, 2020|title=This is what residents are saying on social media after explosion rocked northwest Houston|url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2020/01/24/this-is-what-residents-are-saying-on-social-media-after-explosion-rocked-northwest-houston/|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=KPRC|language=en}}

|

Zagreb, Croatia

|2020 Zagreb earthquake (March 22, 2020)

|{{Cite web|title=Aktivirao se Facebook Safety Check|url=http://metro-portal.hr/aktivirao-se-facebook-safety-check/124517|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=metro-portal.hr|language=hr}}

|

Southern Brazil

|June 2020 Brazil bomb cyclone

|{{Cite web|date=July 1, 2020|title=Ciclone bomba leva ventos de 120 km/h ao Sul do Brasil|url=https://canaltech.com.br/meio-ambiente/ciclone-bomba-leva-ventos-de-120-kmh-ao-sul-do-brasil-167341/|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=Canaltech|language=pt-BR}}

|

Beirut, Lebanon

|2020 Beirut explosion (August 4, 2020)

|{{Cite web|title=Crisis Response: The Explosion in Beirut, Lebanon|url=https://www.facebook.com/crisisresponse/918196581995877/?alias=918196581995877|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=Facebook|language=en}}

|First operational use in Lebanon

California, US

|2020 California wildfires

|{{Cite journal|last1=Jia|first1=Shenyue|last2=Kim|first2=Seung Hee|last3=Nghiem|first3=Son V.|last4=Doherty|first4=Paul|last5=Kafatos|first5=Menas C.|title=Patterns of population displacement during mega-fires in California detected using Facebook Disaster Maps|url=https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab8847|journal=Environmental Research Letters|year=2020 |language=en|volume=15|issue=7|pages=074029|doi=10.1088/1748-9326/ab8847|arxiv=2004.01084 |bibcode=2020ERL....15g4029J |s2cid=214774928 |issn=1748-9326}}

|

Oregon, US

|2020 Oregon wildfires

|{{Cite news|last=Shakil|first=Ismail|editor-last=Adler|editor-first=Leslie|date=September 13, 2020|title=Facebook removes posts linking Oregon wildfires to activist groups|language=en|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-wildfires-facebook-idUSKBN264013|access-date=July 8, 2021}}

|

Philippines

|Typhoon Rolly (October 2020)

|{{Cite web|date=November 12, 2020|title=Facebook Calls for Donations for Typhoon Rolly Relief in the Philippines|url=https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/12/facebook-calls-for-donations-for-typhoon-rolly-relief-in-the-philippines/|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=Manila Bulletin|language=en-US}}

|

Malaysia

|2020–21 Malaysian floods

|{{Cite news|last=Gasper|first=Desiree|date=January 4, 2021|title=Offer Help To Flood Victims In Johor And Pahang Through Facebook's Crisis Response Page|work=Rojak Daily|url=https://rojakdaily.com/news/article/11384/offer-help-to-flood-victims-in-johor-and-pahang-through-facebook-s-crisis-response-page|access-date=July 8, 2021}}

|

Gjerdrum, Norway

|2020 Gjerdrum landslide (December 30, 2020)

|{{Cite web|last=Lindblad|first=Ståle|date=December 30, 2020|title=Facebook aktiverte krisefunksjonen da leirraset gikk i Gjerdrum|url=https://www.kom24.no/a/105324|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=www.kom24.no|language=no}}

|

Valparaíso, Chile

|Valparaíso wildfires (January 2021)

|{{Cite web|date=January 15, 2021|title=¿Estás en la zona afectada? Facebook activa notificación por incendios en la región de Valparaíso|url=https://www.24horas.cl/tendencias/ciencia-tecnologia/estas-en-la-zona-afectada-facebook-activa-notificacion-por-incendios-en-la-region-de-valparaiso-4611140|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=24Horas.cl|language=es}}

|

Madrid, Spain

|2021 Madrid explosion (January 20, 2021)

|{{Cite web|date=January 20, 2021|title=Facebook activa su herramienta de respuesta ante emergencias por la explosión en Madrid|url=https://www.elgrupoinformatico.com/noticias/facebook-activa-safety-check-por-explosion-madrid-t79936.html|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=El Grupo Informático|language=es}}

|

Tétouan, Morocco

|Tétouan floods (March 2021)

|{{Cite web|last=Match|first=Paris|title=Des pluies diluviennes provoquent des inondations monstres à Tétouan|url=https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/Environnement/Des-pluies-diluviennes-provoquent-des-inondations-monstres-a-Tetouan-1727390|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=parismatch.com|language=fr}}

|First operational use in Morocco

Béjaïa, Algeria

|2021 Béjaïa earthquake (March 18, 2021)

|{{Cite web|last=Meddi|first=Adlène|date=March 18, 2021|title=Puissant séisme en Algérie : la peur des répliques traumatise Béjaïa|url=https://www.lepoint.fr/afrique/puissant-seisme-en-algerie-la-peur-des-repliques-traumatise-bejaia-18-03-2021-2418402_3826.php|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=Le Point|language=fr}}

|First operational use in Algeria

Santiago, Nuevo León, Mexico

|Nuevo León wildfires (March 2021)

|{{Cite web|title=¡Estoy bien! Facebook activa respuesta de emergencia por incendio forestal en Santiago|url=https://www.info7.mx/nuevo-leon/estoy-bien-facebook-activa-respuesta-emergencia-por-incendio-forestal-santiago/3020646|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=INFO7|language=es}}

|

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

|2021 eruption of La Soufrière (April 2021)

|{{Cite web|title=ArcGIS Insights|url=https://insights.arcgis.com/#/view/58254ee6c45b4f429ffa01cb43080fd9|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=insights.arcgis.com}}

|First operational use in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Reception

= Reception upon release =

Upon the release of Safety Check, Richard Lawler wrote in Engadget praising the tool, writing "[I]t can take some pressure off of overloaded infrastructure with everyone trying to call affected areas after disasters hit, and of course, save you from a post-tragedy chewing out for failure to let people know you're fine." On the flip side, he posited that Safety Check might be "a cagey way to try to take some of the creepiness out of the apps' location tracking features".{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/10/16/facebook-safety-check-in/|title = Facebook 'Safety Check' lets friends know you're OK after a major disaster|last = Lawler|first = Richard|date = October 16, 2014|access-date = April 27, 2015|website = Engadget}}

= Reception of deployment for April 2015 Nepal earthquake =

Commentators praised Facebook Safety Check in the wake of the April 2015 Nepal earthquake{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-safety-check-feature-nepal-earthquake-2015-4|title = Facebook has a brilliant feature that can help anyone who may be in danger from the Nepal earthquake|last = Eadicicco|first=Lisa|date = April 26, 2015|access-date = April 27, 2015|website = Business Insider}} and compared it to Google Person Finder, a tool by Google with a similar purpose.{{cite magazine|url=http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/googles-person-finder-and-facebooks-safety-app-to-help-locate-those-stranded-in-nepal-earthquake-264961.html|title = Google's 'Person Finder' and Facebook's 'Safety App' to help locate those stranded in Nepal earthquake|date = April 28, 2015|magazine = First Post|access-date = April 27, 2015}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2015/04/25/after_nepal_earthquake_facebook_and_google_offer_safety_check_in_features.html|title = After Nepal Earthquake, Facebook and Google Offer Safety Check-In Features|last = Newman|first = Lily Hay|date = April 25, 2015|access-date = April 27, 2015|magazine = Slate}}{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/nepal-earthquake-facebook-to-google-how-tech-is-helping-survivors-reach-out/|title = Nepal earthquake: How tech from Facebook to Google can help survivors|newspaper = Indian Express|date = April 27, 2015|access-date = April 27, 2015}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2015/04/27/how-google-and-facebook-are-finding-victims-of-the-nepal-earthquake/|title = How Google and Facebook are finding victims of the Nepal earthquake|last = Dewey|first = Caitlin|date = April 27, 2015|access-date = April 27, 2015|newspaper =The Washington Post}} However, commentators noted that due to low penetration of mobile devices and poor network connectivity in the region (which had worsened due to the earthquake), many of the people in the target audience of the tool would not be able to use it.{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Global-News/2015/0427/Facebook-Safety-Check-helps-users-locate-loved-ones-in-Nepal-video|title = Facebook Safety Check helps users locate loved ones in Nepal (+video). How social media is changing the face of disaster relief.|last = Lindsay|first = Rowena|date = April 27, 2015|access-date = April 27, 2015|newspaper =The Christian Science Monitor}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/04/telling-the-world-youre-safe-through-facebook/391484/|title = Updating Facebook to Say 'I'm Safe'. The social network activated its new 'Safety Check' service after Saturday's tragic earthquake.|date = April 25, 2015|access-date = April 27, 2015|last = Schiavenza|first = Matt|magazine = The Atlantic}} This was likened to similar problems faced by Google Person Finder during the 2010 Pakistan floods.

= Reception of deployment for May 2015 Nepal earthquake =

After the May 2015 Nepal earthquake, BuzzFeed reported that many users outside the geographical area affected by the earthquake were marking themselves as safe using the tool, and that this was angering other users who thought they were being insensitive to the toll and tragedy of the event.{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/rossalynwarren/people-living-in-britain-and-america-keep-marking-themselves|title = People Living in Britain And America Keep Marking Themselves As 'Safe' From Nepal's Earthquakes. 'This is social media at its worst.'|last = Warren|first = Rosalyn|date = May 13, 2015|access-date = May 14, 2015|website = BuzzFeed}} The story was picked up by other publications including the Huffington Post and fact-checking website Snopes, which noted that this was due to a bug in Facebook leading it to prompt people outside the affected area to confirm whether they were safe.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/13/facebook-safety-check-nepal_n_7275802.html|title = People Are Abusing A Facebook Tool Meant To Help People in Nepal|last = McCormack|first = Simon|date = May 13, 2015|access-date = May 14, 2015|work = Huffington Post}}{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/576844/Facebook-Safety-Check-Nepal-earthquake-marked-declared-quake|title = Facebook Safety Check: Fury as users who aren't in Nepal mark themselves safe from quake|last = Campbell|first = Scott|date = May 13, 2015|access-date = May 14, 2015|newspaper = Express}}{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1996203/facebook-users-outside-of-nepal-criticized-for-using-safety-check-feature/|title = Facebook users outside of Nepal criticized for using 'Safety Check' feature|last = Bogart|first = Nicole|date = May 13, 2015|access-date = May 14, 2015|website = Global News}}

See also

{{portal|Internet}}

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References