Meta, the parent company of social media giant Facebook, is intensifying its efforts to combat the spread of violent posts and misinformation amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The surge in charged images and posts on social media platforms has prompted Meta to step up its enforcement of content policies, in response to mounting pressure from European authorities seeking to address misinformation through the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). In this article, we’ll delve into the actions Meta has taken to curb the proliferation of harmful content during the ongoing conflict.
The European Union’s Digital Services Act
The European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) has put significant pressure on social media platforms to actively monitor and remove illegal content within European territories. In light of this regulation, Meta, along with other social media platforms, has faced intensified scrutiny regarding its approach to tackling misinformation, especially during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Meta’s Response to European Commissioner Thierry Breton
Meta has promptly responded to the concerns raised by European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, regarding the presence of illegal content on the platform during the ongoing conflict. While the specific details of the response were not disclosed, Meta’s actions reflect its commitment to addressing the issue at hand.
Key Measures Taken by Meta
To combat the proliferation of harmful content during the Israel-Hamas conflict, Meta has implemented several key measures:
Special Operations Center: Meta has established a dedicated special operations center staffed with experts proficient in Hebrew and Arabic, the languages most relevant to the conflict. This allows for more effective monitoring and response to problematic content.
Removal of Violative Posts: Meta has already taken action to remove or label over 795,000 posts in Hebrew or Arabic that violated its content policies. These violations encompass a wide range of issues, including violent and graphic content, hate speech, harassment, and content that incites harm.
Enhanced Vigilance: In the three days following the surprise terror attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, Meta reported a substantial increase in the removal of content violating its Dangerous Organizations and Individuals policy, particularly in Hebrew and Arabic. Hamas, classified as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government, is subject to this policy.
Temporary Adjustments: Meta has temporarily lowered the threshold for triggering its content monitoring technology, ensuring that potentially violating and borderline content does not get amplified across its services.
Expanded Policies: Temporarily expanding its violence and incitement policy, Meta is now removing posts that identify hostages, even if the intention is to raise awareness.
Restricting Hashtags: Certain Instagram hashtags consistently associated with posts in violation of Meta’s policies will not be searchable, minimizing the visibility of such content.
User Restrictions: Individuals who have previously violated Meta’s content policies will face restrictions on the use of Facebook and Instagram Live.
Conclusion
Meta’s swift and comprehensive response to the surge in violent posts and misinformation during the Israel-Hamas conflict reflects the company’s commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant online environment. By complying with the European Union’s Digital Services Act and responding to the concerns of European authorities, Meta is taking proactive measures to address the challenges posed by the conflict, ensuring the responsible use of its platforms while upholding freedom of expression and open discourse.
