(Photo: by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) This photo illustration created in Washington, DC, on July 6, 2023, shows the opening page of Threads, an Instagram app, near the Meta logo.
After the European Union criticized social media companies for not doing more to combat disinformation, Meta announced on Friday that it was taking action, including deleting praise and meaningful support for Hamas from its platforms.
Since the Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas against Israel, false information and altered photographs have gained popularity on Facebook and other social media platforms.
More than 795,000 pieces of information in Hebrew or Arabic were removed or flagged as upsetting in the three days following the incident, according to Meta.
Additionally, Meta is temporarily broadening its prohibition on violence and incitement and eliminating material that expressly names hostages abducted by Hamas, even when done to denounce or draw attention to their plight, according to Reuters.
The business claimed that while content with blurred photographs of victims is still permitted, if uncertain or unable to make a confident determination, it will prioritize the protection and privacy of abduction victims.
Numerous Israelis and foreigners have been taken hostage by Hamas in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza as a result of the strike.
Meta Takes Control
In response to Hamas' threats to broadcast hostage footage, Meta announced it would immediately take down any such materials and prevent copies from being redistributed.
In order to prevent recommending content that would contravene policies across its Facebook, Instagram, and Threads platforms, it is also decreasing the threshold at which its technology takes action.
Meta enables social and political dialogue, such as news reporting, human rights-related problems, or intellectual, neutral, and critical discussion, however, Hamas is prohibited from the platforms.
In order to comply with its Digital Services Act (DSA), a violation of which might result in significant fines, the European Commission has put pressure on social media platforms to remove dangerous and unlawful information.
The response from Meta contrasts with that of X, formerly known as Twitter, who requested further information from the Commission about infractions on its website. The Commission has started looking into X.
Read also: Israel Won't Restore Electricity, Water Supply to Gaza Until Captives Are Released
Warnings to Other Social Platforms
The EU has warned TikTok about "disinformation" spreading on the app, according to BBC.
In a letter, it demanded that CEO Shou Zi Chew "urgently step up" efforts and explain "within the next 24 hours" how it is adhering to European legislation.
A rise in false material regarding the battle, including edited photographs and mislabeled videos, has been observed by social media companies.
On Tuesday, X received a similar 24-hour deadline. In response, the company's chief executive Linda Yaccarino informed the bloc that since Hamas attacked Israel, "tens of thousands of pieces of content" had been removed or flagged.
The EU has also issued a similar disinformation warning and a 24-hour deadline to Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram.
Related article: Hamas Attack Update: Israel Publishes Graphic Photos of Murdered, Burned Babies-PM Office Says 'Hamas is ISIS'
