How the Tech Companies Responded to the Awful Paris Attacks
Social media completely filled with news about the dreadful Paris attacks this weekend. Firstly, we need to remember that, Paris wasn’t the only city to confront a terrible terrorist attack. There were two other major cities – Beirut and Baghdad as well which had faced terrorist attacks. After this horrifying terrorist attack took place in Paris, droves of tech companies paid tribute to the victims of the attacks in Paris, waving their websites and social media profiles with the blue, white and red of the French flag.
A few tech companies such as Airbnb, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Reddit, etc., have taken measures to express their solidarity with France after terrorist attacks hit Paris on Friday. Some Chief Executives of tech companies offered words of support. But some other major tech firms which had vast international social networks have come forward to help the victims of terrorist attacks. Here’s how technology companies responded to the awful attacks recently.
Airbnb
Airbnb, a Home renting Service which has its huge market in Paris have shown the impact of the Paris attacks. They have urged hosts to house victims and those stuck by delays for free. The company has created a website where people can request places to stay and hosts can offer space for no charge. According to the Airbnb Disaster response website, all service fees are waived for all check-ins between November 13-17.
The company wrote an email, “If you are able, we hope you will strongly consider helping those who are in need by making your listing available at little or no cost. Also, if you’re an Airbnb host in Paris and your Airbnb guest is experiencing travel delays as they try to leave Paris, you can allow your guest to extend their stay for free.”
Facebook, the giant social networking site has activated its Safety Check Tool for the victims of Paris attacks allowing people to alert friends that they are safe in the aftermath of the attacks. Facebook has rolled out a profile picture filter with the French tricolor flag.
“You are right that there are many other important conflicts in the world,” CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a post addressing the criticism. “We care about all people equally, and we will work hard to help people suffering in as many of these situations as we can.”
There wasn’t a Safety Check for Beirut and Baghdad and it resulted in online furore signs at the extent of Facebook’s popularity. A controversy broke soon after with people questioning the selective outrage over the attacks. Soon enough, Alex Schultz, Vice President of Growth at Facebook had to add a post on the official Facebook blog adding that “There has to be a first time for trying something new, even in complex and sensitive times, and for us that was Paris.”
Mark Zuckerberg addressed this concern through a post on the social network as, “We’re hopeful, the next time there’s an emergency situation in a region with minimal Facebook users, there would be a Safety Check feature available.”
Uber
Uber, which is an International Transportation Network company have taken a step towards helping Parisians. In a statement by the Uber spokesperson, surge pricing has been done away with. In Paris, taxis opened their doors to citizens stranded in the city and were plying for free. Uber has turned off surge pricing and quickly responded after the terrific attacks.
Tech Companies Offers Free Calls to France
Major technology companies such as Google and Microsoft have allowed people to make free Skype and Hangout calls free for a few days. Microsoft is allowing people to make free domestic and international Skype calls to landlines and mobile phones in France. Reddit has given its mascot at the top right corner of its homepage a French flag to hold. The mascot on its homepage is no longer smiling as it usually does.
Other Telecommunications corporation such as Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile have shown they sympathy and support towards the terrorist attacks. Sprint is offering free calling, roaming, and texting to France for all Boost Mobile, Sprint, and Virgin Mobile customers and the company has not mentioned any expiry date. T-Mobile is offering free calls and text messaging between France and the U.S. Verizon is allowing customers in the U.S. to make calls and send text messages to people in France free of charge this weekend.
Indian IT Companies
Some of the IT companies in India with personnel in Paris are constantly in touch with their employees. In a statement, HCL Technologies said they denounce the attacks and their thoughts and prayers are with the victims. Other tech company, TCS also ensured that its employees in Paris are safe. The report also adds that Wipro confirmed that its employees in Paris are safe and that it has introduced certain emergency procedures and would continue to monitor the condition.
This way all the major tech companies have come forward to show their support to the victims of dreadful terrorist attacks in Paris and France. Stay strong Parisians. The entire world is thinking of you.