Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and chief executive made the announcement Wednesday after the company came under fire for a perceived Western bias when it activated Safety Check in the wake of the Paris attacks, with critics noting that terrorist attacks in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia hadn't previously warranted its deployment.
The ''safety check'' allows users to check whether friends are safe after attacks or natural disasters such as earthquakes.
Full statement below....
''We've activated Safety Check again after the bombing in Nigeria this evening,'' Zuckerberg said in a post on the site. ''After the Paris attacks last week, we made the decision to use Safety Check for more tragic events like this going forward. We're now working quickly to develop criteria for the new policy and determine when and how this service can be most useful.
''Unfortunately, these kinds of events are all too common, so I won't post about all of them. A loss of human life anywhere is a tragedy, and we're committed to doing our part to help people in more of these situations.
''In times like this, it's important to remind ourselves that despite the alarming frequency of these terrible events, violence is actually at an all-time low in history and continues to decline.
''Deaths from war are lower than ever, murder rates are generally dropping around the world, and -- although it's hard to believe -- even terrorist attacks are declining.
''Please don't let a small minority of extremists make you pessimistic about our future.
''Every member of our community spreads empathy and understanding on a daily basis. We are all connecting the world together. And if we all do our part, then one day there may no longer be attacks like this.''
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