Stabbing tool removed from Facebook app

IDG News Service — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:32:57 -0400

Software developer Slide has removed an action from a Facebook app that allowed social networkers to stab each other.

Shank, which is street slang for stabbing, was among the virtual activities users could send to each other through the SuperPoke application. Many of the actions listed in the tool, such as throwing sheep and partying, are harmless. However, Shank, which features a cartoon-style image of a knife, raises a number of concerns, especially in London, where 21 teenagers have been killed in violent attacks this year, the majority the victims of stabbings.

US developer Slide has since admitted the action is in bad taste and has now removed it from the application.

A Slide spokesman told The Sun: "Slide does not condone violence whatsoever, and our SuperPoke! application is meant to foster fun, virtual communications between friends. We have removed this particular action as it misrepresents the SuperPoke! brand".

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