The oversight board for Meta Platforms announced on Thursday that it will assess the moderation practices regarding the Arabic term “shaheed,” which translates to “martyr” in English. This term has been associated with the highest number of content removals on Meta’s platforms compared to any other word or phrase.
Meta has sought guidance from the oversight board on whether it should persist with its removal of posts using “shaheed” in reference to individuals labeled as dangerous or consider an alternative approach, according to the board.
Thomas Hughes, director of oversight board administration, emphasized the complexity surrounding this moderation issue, noting its significant impact on how millions express themselves online. He raised concerns about potential over-enforcement affecting Muslim and Arabic-speaking communities due to Meta’s current enforcement practices.
The board pointed out that strict moderation of the term could lead to over-enforcement, particularly in Arabic-speaking nations, which may hinder news reporting in those areas. To aid in its decision-making process, the board has invited public comments.
Established in late 2020, the oversight board’s purpose is to review content removal decisions on Facebook and Instagram, determining whether to uphold or reverse the company’s actions.
In addition, the board revealed on Thursday that it will investigate a case concerning a post that advocated for a “siege” of Brazil’s congress in the aftermath of President Lula da Silva’s election.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
