The escalation of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the late 2023, the moderation policies being followed by Meta, have come under fire. In the recent months, Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has been facing intense scrutiny over its moderation policies, specifically its censorship practices concerning pro-Palestinian content, allegedly suppressing voices that support the rights of Palestinians and their perspectives. This report examines events illustrating Meta’s controversial handling of Palestinian content. It also includes the censoring of Turkish government posts and the banning of Quds News Network, which led to the Turkish government banning Instagram for the last two days consecutively.
Meta’s Content Moderation Policies
The content moderation policies of META have been criticized time and again for their handling of sensitive topics, in particular those involving Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Middle East. The company’s Dangerous Organizations and Individuals, DOI, policy has been a focal point of controversy. It prohibits content supporting groups designated as terrorist organizations. This policy has led to the suppression of many posts related to Palestinian political movements and human rights abuses.
Despite META’s assurance of adherence to human rights standards, reports suggest that its policies disproportionately impact pro-Palestinian content.
Deliberate Censorship Of Pro Palestine Content. According to a research carried out by Human Rights Watch, it has been documented that between October and November 2023, 1,050 accounts, takedowns occurred, and other suppressions of content on Instagram and Facebook Out of those 1,050 cases that were reviewed by the Human Rights Watch, 1,049 cases involved peaceful content in support of Palestine that was censored. Or otherwise unduly suppressed.
While one case involved removal of content in support of Israel. The documented cases included content originating from over 60 countries around the world, primarily in English. All of peaceful support of Palestine expressed in diverse ways. The censorship of content related to Palestine on Instagram and Facebook is systemic and global.
There were six key patterns of undue censorship identified by Human Rights Watch, with each occurring at the very least 100 times. These included
1. Removal of posts, stories, and comments.
2. Suspension of permanent disabling of accounts. 3. Restriction on the ability to engage with content, such as liking, commenting, sharing, and reposting on stories for a specific period, ranging from 24 hours to 3 months.
4. Restriction on ability to follow or to tag other accounts.
5. Restrictions on the use of certain features.
6. “Shadow banning” – Significant decrease in the visibility of an individual’s posts, stories, or accounts without notification. Due to a reduction in distribution or reach of content or disabling of searches for accounts.
Censorship of Turkish Government Posts
In early August 2024, Turkey’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) blocked access to Instagram for two consecutive days. The blockade followed accusations from high-ranking Turkish officials that Instagram had ignored government demands to remove posts expressing condolences over the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration had declared a national day of mourning for Haniyeh, a significant figure in Palestinian resistance. The Turkish government accused Instagram of censoring messages of condolence and failing to comply with local laws. Fahrettin Altun, the presidential communications director, criticized Instagram for allegedly preventing the publication of supportive messages for Haniyeh, calling it an “obvious attempt at censorship.”The Turkish authorities initially did not specify the exact reason for blocking Instagram, but later claims pointed to violations related to “insults to Ataturk” and other crimes. This move underscores the complex interplay between national regulations and global social media platforms, illustrating how local political sensitivities can influence content moderation decisions on a global scale.
Meta Banned Quds News Network (QNN)
A more pronounced example of Meta’s censorship came with the recent banning of Quds News Network (QNN) from Instagram. On Monday, Instagram shut down QNN’s English-language account, which had been a crucial source of news and information from Gaza. QNN, affiliated with Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, had previously faced multiple deletions of its Facebook account and reported similar censorship on Instagram.QNN’s account shutdown was followed by a strong reaction from the network, which accused Meta of escalating restrictions on Palestinian content. They claimed that while Meta removed their accounts, it continued to allow content and advertisements supporting Israeli actions, which allegedly incite violence against Palestinians.QNN’s shutdown is particularly notable because the network has played a significant role in documenting and disseminating information about the conflict. Their content includes graphic videos and images from Gaza, providing an alternative narrative to mainstream media coverage. The ban on QNN reflects a broader pattern of censorship affecting Palestinian voices and news sources.In response, QNN launched a campaign urging users to rate Instagram poorly on app stores, protesting what they describe as anti-Palestinian bias and systemic censorship. The campaign emphasizes how Meta’s content policies, coupled with its enforcement practices, have marginalized pro-Palestinian voices and restricted coverage of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Meta ’s Response and Broader Implications
Meta’s response to these controversies has been largely defensive. The company has updated its policies to address criticisms, including a recent decision to target posts using the term “Zionists” when it is used inappropriately to refer to Jewish people or Israelis, rather than the political movement. Meta’s new policy aims to address the misuse of the term and prevent antisemitic content. However, this update has not fully assuaged concerns about bias and inconsistent enforcement.The broader implications of Meta’s censorship practices are significant. The suppression of Palestinian content has sparked international criticism, with human rights organizations accusing Meta of failing to uphold freedom of expression and access to information. Reports by Human Rights Watch and other organizations have documented systemic censorship affecting pro-Palestinian posts, highlighting issues such as shadow-banning and content removal.In the context of rising global tensions and conflicts, the role of social media platforms in moderating content becomes increasingly critical. Meta’s policies and enforcement practices have come under intense scrutiny, with critics arguing that the company’s actions contribute to a broader pattern of suppressing dissent and limiting access to diverse viewpoints.
Meta’s handling of pro-Palestinian content has sparked significant controversy, with high-profile examples like the censoring of Turkish government posts and the banning of QNN illustrating the challenges and consequences of content moderation in conflict zones. The company’s policies, particularly the DOI policy and recent updates, have been criticized for disproportionately impacting Palestinian voices and failing to address bias effectively.As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to evolve, the role of social media platforms like Meta in shaping public discourse and controlling information remains a crucial issue. Ensuring transparency, fairness, and adherence to international human rights standards will be essential for addressing these concerns and fostering a more open and inclusive online environment.This effort of Meta to censor pro Palastinian voices from around the world as well as Palestinians themselves is conflicting move that overlooks basic human rights. In particular it gives no regard to the freedom of speech being promoted around the globe by liberals and human right advocates.
Report big Vaneeza Khan, Intern At The Pakistan Frontier.