Human Rights Watch released a report on December 21, 2023, accusing Meta of systematically censoring content supporting Palestine. In response, Meta cited its human rights responsibility but faced calls for concrete steps towards transparency and remediation.
In a report released by Human Rights Watch on December 21, 2023, Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has been accused of systematically censoring content supporting Palestine on its platforms. The 51-page report, titled “Meta’s Broken Promises: Systemic Censorship of Palestine Content on Instagram and Facebook,” highlights issues with Meta’s content moderation policies. Moreover, it cites undue removal and suppression of protected speech related to Palestine.
The report points to flawed Meta policies, inconsistent implementation, overreliance on automated tools, and undue government influence over content removals as contributing factors to the censorship. Human Rights Watch conducted a review of 1,050 cases from over 60 countries. They also document instances of content removals, account suspensions, and other forms of censorship affecting users expressing support for Palestine.
The study identified six key patterns of censorship, including content removals, account suspensions, and restrictions on engaging with content. Meta’s application of its “Dangerous Organizations and Individuals” policy, incorporating U.S.-designated lists of terrorist organizations, came under scrutiny for restricting legitimate speech surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The report also criticized Meta’s inconsistent application of policies on violent and graphic content, hate speech, and nudity. It revealed that Meta’s enforcement of these policies had a flawed impact on the rights of Palestinian users. Additionally, it hinders their ability to share information and insights about their experiences.
Despite previous commitments to address these issues, Meta has allegedly failed to carry out the recommended changes and meet its human rights responsibilities. Human Rights Watch urged Meta to align its content moderation policies with international human rights standards. It ensures transparency and permits protected expression on its platforms.
In response, Meta cited its human rights responsibility and core principles, emphasizing immediate crisis response measures. However, Human Rights Watch called for concrete steps towards transparency and remediation. The report urged Meta to demonstrate its commitment to addressing Palestine-related censorship.
