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Facebook test lets users block words & phrases from their wall – almost …

If you’ve ever had someone spam your Facebook wall with a fake RayBan ad or similar, or are just fed up of political arguments, a new Facebook test may provide a solution …

The company is currently testing the ability to ban particular words, phrases and even unwanted emoji from your wall.

The test was spotted by Jane Manchun Yong, a computer science student who has turned reverse-engineering app code into an art. Her previous finds include:

She notes that her latest discovery isn’t quite as comprehensive as some would wish. It is closer to a mute function than a true block.

The people who post these comments and their friends will still be able to see them.

So blocked phrases would still be visible to mutual friends, and the owner of the timeline wouldn’t even know it was happening, which seems less than ideal. However, this is just a test, so it’s possible Facebook will strengthen the feature if and when it is rolled out.

TNW notes that Instagram – owned by Facebook – already offers a more comprehensive filtering feature.

Facebook yesterday opened up Watch Parties to all, in a bid to make video watching more social.

Image: Shutterstock


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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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