When it comes to the domination of social media platforms, nothing and nobody comes close to the technological powerhouse known as Meta. With such a title upon their shoulders, they have a huge responsibility to uphold: the free flow of information and data all across the globe. However, what happens when a giant gets too comfortable and stomps on the millions below it? We get but silence, and the silence we have here is censorship.

Human Rights Watch has revealed a very concerning relationship between Meta's Instagram and its censorship of content relating to the conflict in Palestine as well as Palestinian content. However, this is not some mere hiccup in their systems, but it is a major flaw of their moderation policies as well as haphazard application of their community standards.

The report has brought to light an array of issues. One of them is mainly how Palestinian accounts are heavily targeted for content deletion and removal, often without any clear justification. There's also how Meta's process of appeal is highly flawed, thus leaving their users baffled regarding their content removal. Third of all, this report addresses a genuine shadiness showcased in Meta's choices, which makes it ever more complicated to figure out why certain content is being flagged. It is this lack of transparency that compels the beliefs of bias and discrimination.

This silencing of Palestinian voices is a severe consequence of censorship. By limiting their ability to share what's going on and halting the spread of important information, this also plays a role in the digital divide as well as further pushes the imbalances of power. The report aims for Meta's reformation of their content moderation policies and increased clarity in their appeal process to allow for a more just online climate for Palestinians. 

Something to note is that this may not only affect Palestine but also highlight the implications of corporate powers and their footprint on freedom of expression. Meta's acts raise eyebrows about how tech companies choose to deal with the upholding of human rights online. The reports help staunchly remind the need for more clarity as well as greater accountability in the digital ecosystem.


Pilane Tshepiso Shatiso

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