Paris Attacks: Over 4 Million People Use Facebook 'Safety Check In'; Lebanese Ask, 'Where Is Our Safety Check?'

In the midst of the devastating series of terrorist attacks in Paris that left over 150 people dead last Nov. 13, Friday, more than four million users were able to let their friends and loved ones know they were safe after Facebook activated its Safety Check feature.

According to Politico, it was the first time Facebook activated the feature during a non-natural disaster. The said check-in feature allows Facebook's large community to quickly share details during disasters and other critical situations, wherein communication can otherwise be difficult.

"We are shocked and saddened by the events in Paris. Communication is critical in these moments both for people there and for their friends and families anxious for news," a spokesperson from Facebook wrote via e-mail. "People turn to Facebook to check on loved ones and get updates which is why we created Safety Check."

While this seemed to be a huge help for people outside Paris who have family members or friends living within the city, some social media users criticized Facebook for not activating the Safety Check feature after Beirut experienced similar attacks this week. Facebook then posted an explanation saying that the "Paris attacks marked a change in how the company plans to offer the service."

"We chose to activate Safety Check in Paris because we observed a lot of activity on Facebook as the events were unfolding. In the middle of a complex, uncertain situation affecting many people, Facebook became a place where people were sharing information and looking to understand the condition of their loved ones. We talked with our employees on the ground, who felt that there was still a need that we could fill. 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," the company explained.

The events that unfolded following the terrorist attacks marked a turning point for Facebook on the use and activation of the Safety Check feature considering that it was still a work in progress.

CBS News reported that Alex Schultz, Vice President of Growth at Facebook, said that Facebook was first inspired to create the Safety Check tool during the tsunami and nuclear disaster in Tokyo back in 2011. The feature was also used during the recent earthquakes in Afghanistan, Chile and Nepa. Safety Check was used during the Tropical Cyclone Pam in South Pacific and Typhoon Ruby in the Philippines as well.