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Facebook Criticized For Not Using Safety Check Feature During Beirut Attacks

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --  Just one day before Paris, there was Beirut. 43 killed, hundreds more injured in a series of suicide bombings. ISIS extremists claimed responsibility.

"Unfortunately, we see this too much," said Father Vincent Farhat.

Farhat is a Reverend at St. Maron Catholic Church, a place that has served the Lebanese community in Philadelphia for more than a century.

"It's tough," he said. "It's difficult for those of us that come from a certain region where something like that happened in Beirut and it wasn't publicized as much as other places."

The attacks were given some coverage Thursday and then the western world mourned France.

In response to Paris, social media giant Facebook rolled out its 'Safety Check' feature for those with family near the chaos and another cosmetic feature to put the national flag over profile pictures.

Something it did not do for Lebanon.

"I think it was not ideal," says Drexel University Head of Global Studies Professor Rogelio.

Rogelio agrees with spreading criticism that Facebook should have been more inclusive, even in areas where conflict is more common.

"That proximity has to be real," he said. "It cannot be just a flag, it cannot be just a gesture toward one nationality, one country, one city, it has to take a more global approach."

In response to the new 'safety check' policy. Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg posted a response on his page saying in part quote:

"…So we made the decision to try something we've never done before: activating Safety Check for something other than a natural disaster. There has to be a first time for trying something new, even in complex and sensitive times, and for us that was Paris..."

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