Facebook sparked fear and anger among Bangkok’s social media users after its Safety Check feature triggered a false bomb alert in Bangkok.
The Facebook’s check-in feature allows users to signal to friends that they are safe after an incident such as a terror attack or natural disaster.
But the Check in feature appeared to misfire on Tuesday which created an alert called "The Blast in Bangkok" that said a blast in the capital had been confirmed by "multiple sources".
The Facebook page did not give any other details about the incident, but it linked articles which was about a bombing in Bangkok back in August 2015 which killed 20 people.
After numerous Facebook users in city marked themselves as safe, the alert was deactivated around an hour later at 10pm, leaving citizens relieved but also angered them over the false alarm.
"Facebook issued false safety check which has destroyed Thailand's image," wrote Thai user Prasit Silhanisong.
Facebook Safety check under critical condition
"It is close to the New Year and now tourists might not come," he added, calling on the social media giant to apologize.
Facebook defended the algorithm by saying, the alert was activated by reports of small explosives that a protester had thrown near Government House earlier on Tuesday.
The incident was covered in the local press, which caused no injuries or damage.
A Facebook spokesman said in a statement that "Safety Check was activated yesterday in Bangkok following a small blast.
It is not the first time the check-in feature has caused controversy.
In March 2016 the Facebook apologized for activating a Safety Check notification to users by a bug around the world following a deadly suicide bombing in Pakistan.
AMandeep
