NPR

Facebook Promises To Stop Asking You To Wish Happy Birthday To Your Friend Who Died

The social media company said new artificial intelligence will figure out who has died, and make sure their profile doesn't appear in "painful ways."
Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks at a trade fair in 2018. The company says it will use artificial intelligence to figure out which of its users have died.

On Facebook, people linger long after death.

A friend's photo might pop up on a timeline. A child's video might show up in Facebook "Memories," highlighting what happened on this date in years past. Sometimes these reminders bring a smile to the faces of friends and family left behind.

But Facebook's

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR2 min readWorld
Israel Strikes Iran, U.S. Official Says; Taylor Swift's 'Tortured Poets' Is Here
Israel has launched a strike against Iran, a U.S. official tells NPR. Taylor Swift's highly anticipated "Tortured Poets Department" is here.
NPR7 min readCrime & Violence
Alvin Bragg, Manhattan's District Attorney, Draws Friends Close And Critics Closer
Observers, friends and former colleagues view Alvin Bragg Jr., the Manhattan district attorney, as a smart, deliberate lawyer and a selfless public servant. And people who claim him as their friend say he's a thoughtful one. Those who spoke to NPR, w
NPR5 min readInternational Relations
What We Know So Far About Israel's Strike On Iran — And What Could Happen Next
Israel and Iran seem to be downplaying the attack, the latest in a series of retaliatory strikes between the two. Analysts say that could be a sign of the de-escalation world leaders are calling for.

Related Books & Audiobooks