2024-07-07 22:18:13
Meta announced that it will lift the blanket ban it imposed on the word “martyr” in Arabic.
The company said the decision “came after a year-long review by the Oversight Board found the social media giant’s approach was excessive.”
According to the company’s statement, “The review found that Meta’s rules regarding the word ‘martyr’ did not take into account the diversity of meanings of the word and led to the removal of content that was not intended to glorify acts of violence.”
Meta acknowledged the review findings, saying in its announcement: “The term ‘martyr’ is used in different ways by many communities around the world and across cultures, religions, and languages.”
The Oversight Board, which is funded by Meta, began its review last year because the word was the reason for more content removals on the company’s platforms than any other word or phrase.
The Oversight Board welcomed the change, saying: “Meta’s policy toward the word has led to millions of people being censored across its platforms.”
Meta is the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and has been criticized for years for its handling of content related to the Middle East, including in a 2021 study commissioned by Meta itself that found its approach had a “negative impact on human rights” for Palestinians and other Arabic-speaking users of its services.
Last updated: July 6, 2024 – 11:17
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2024-07-07 22:18:13