Facebook deletes nearly 800,000 posts under EU pressure over misinformation

The social network said it was working with Hebrew and Arabic fact-checkers, blocking certain hashtags, and taking other measures after EU internal market commissioner Thierry Breton warned CEO Mark Zuckerberg that the company was responsible for the rise in illegal content surrounding the Israel-Hamas war.

Strong EU sanctions make Facebook increase deletion of accounts that violate platform policies.

In early October 2023, Meta removed seven times more policy-violating content than it did in the previous two months. The company said that organizations designated as terrorist organizations by the US, EU, and UK will be banned from the platform, as will any other accounts that support them, including mobilizing or making substantial donations.

However, Facebook asserts “freedom of political and social discourse,” such as reporting news, humanitarian issues, or academic and neutral discussions.

Similar to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, unverified photos and videos depicting violence have spread across social media. Users on the X platform, formerly Twitter, have frequently used video game videos and spread hidden links, making it more difficult for readers to access breaking news.

Meanwhile, the crisis is the first major test of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which comes into effect in early 2023. Under it, companies must step up content moderation and curb the spread of misinformation. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 6% of annual global revenue or a ban from operating in the bloc.

Meta said it is increasing its content moderation interventions, avoiding recommending violative content and reducing the visibility of offensive comments on Facebook and Instagram.

The new policy includes restrictions on the use of Live on Facebook and Instagram for previous offenders.

(According to Bloomberg)

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