Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained the social media site’s decision to enact Safety Check for the attacks on Paris, but not for a deadly bombing in Beirut, in a post on the site.
Safety Check, which allows users to mark themselves and others as safe in the wake of tragedies, had previously been activated by Facebook only during natural disasters. It was only after the Paris attack, he said, that the company decided it will be activated “for more human disasters going forward as well.”
Many on social media were outraged that the feature had been enabled in Paris, where terrorist attacks killed more than 120 people on Friday, but not in Beirut, where more than 40 were killed in bombings the day before. Zuckerberg said people were right to ask about the discrepancy, adding, “We care about all people equally, and we will work hard to help people suffering in as many of these situations as we can.”
Witness Paris Mourn the Day After Deadly Attacks
![Significant Death Toll Feared In Paris Terror Attacks The Eiffel Tower turns off its lights in memory of the more than 120 victims the day after the terrorist attack on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/paris-attacks-eiffel-tower-dark.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![*** BESTPIX *** Significant Death Toll Feared In Paris Terror Attacks Bono and band members from the band U2 place flowers on the pavement near the scene of yesterday's Bataclan Theatre terrorist attack on Nov. 14, 2015 in Paris.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/bono-paris-attacks-01.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![France Paris Attacks A woman is comforted by others outside the Carillon cafe and the Petit Cambodge restaurant in Paris on Nov. 14, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/paris-attacks-jerome-delay-04.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX France Paris Attacks France Paris Attacks](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/paris-attack-aftermath-6.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Significant Death Toll Feared In Paris Terror Attacks Significant Death Toll Feared In Paris Terror Attacks](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/paris-attacks-12.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Dozens of burnt motorbikes and bikes are pictured on the corner of Albert Thomas Lancry streets, in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, on November 14, 2015, few hours after a series of terror attacks that occurred across the city. ©MAXIME JOUY/NEWZULU/Al Dozens of burnt motorbikes and bikes are pictured on the corner of Albert Thomas Lancry streets, in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, on November 14, 2015, few hours after a series of terror attacks that occurred across the city. ©MAXIME JOUY/NEWZULU/Al](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/paris-attacks-11.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Attacks in Paris aftermath France Paris Attacks](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/paris-attack-aftermath-7.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![FRANCE-ATTACKS-PARIS France Paris Attacks](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/paris-attack-aftermath-8.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![A pair of abandoned shoes seen left in the street near the Bataclan concert hall the morning after a series of deadly attacks in Paris France Paris Attacks](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/paris-attack-aftermath-5.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Significant Death Toll Feared In Paris Terror Attacks France Paris Attacks](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/paris-attack-aftermath-9.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
The post was a comment on his change of profile picture to one in which the colors of the French flag are overlaid across his photograph. Facebook implemented this tool to allow users to show solidarity with the people of Paris.
Read next: France Mourns and Seeks Clues to Those Behind Deadly Paris Attacks
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