Facebook Pages with large user base in US now require mandatory authorisation

Learning lessons from the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, Facebook has introduced new set of tools to make it difficult for someone to administer a Page using fake account.

If a Page manager requires authorisation, they’ll receive a notice at the top of their News Feed to begin the process. (REUTERS)

Mark Zuckerberg earlier this year acknowledged it was "too slow" to respond to Russian ads that allegedly played a role in influencing 2016 US elections. After wide criticism, Facebook in April started purging hundreds of pages controlled by the Russian organisations. Months later, the social media giant has announced new measures to stop such elements from influencing its US users.

Facebook on Friday introduced Page publishing authorisation for those who have a Page with a large audience in the US.

"Now, people who manage these Pages will be asked to complete an authorization process in order to continue to post, making it harder for people to administer a Page using a fake or compromised account," said the company in a note.

"Authorization asks people who manage these Pages to secure their account with two-factor authentication and confirm their primary home location. If a Page manager requires authorization, they'll receive a notice at the top of their News Feed to begin the process. This should only take a few minutes to complete. People won't be able to post on their Page if they don't complete the process. Enforcement will shortly follow this month," it added.

A preview of Facebook's new Page Publishing Authorisation (Facebok)

A preview of Facebook's new Page Publishing Authorisation (Facebok)

Facebook is also adding primary country location and Page merge details to Page Info tab, a new section where users can find out more details about Pages, even if they don't have ads. This also shows any changes made recently by the Page admin.

Going forward, Facebook will be providing more information about Pages.

"We're also adding a section called People Who Manage This Page, which will surface the primary country locations Pages are managed from, initially appearing on Pages with a large US audience," Facebook said.

Similar set of features will be rolled out to Facebook's Instagram in the coming weeks.