Categories: Digital LifeNews

Report: Twitter and Instagram say Palestinian content deleted due to “technical errors”

Palestian residents in the Sheikh Jarrah vicinity have tried to share protests at forced eviction by Jewish settlers over social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter—but these posts have reportedly been removed, or their accounts have been blocked.

Complaints over the removal of content were made to 7amleh, an NGO with a stated focus on social media; over 200 deleted posts and suspended accounts pertaining to content regarding Sheikh Jarrah. According to Mona Shtaya, an advocacy advisor at the non-profit:

“On Instagram, it was mostly content takedown, even archives from older stories were deleted. On Twitter, most cases were an account suspension.”

7amleh, along with other data-focused rights groups reportedly called for more “transparent and coherent” policies when it comes to content moderations—along with more openness when content is indeed removed for violation of policies. The social media giants have, in response, said that the suspension of accounts were done “in error” by “automated systems”, while assuring that the deleted content has been reinstated.

Instagram also says that an automated update also caused content on Colombia, and the U.S. and Canadian indigenous communities (in addition to posts on Sheikh Jarrah) to go missing. The platform has issued an apology:

“We are so sorry this happened. Especially to those in Colombia, East Jerusalem, and Indigenous communities who felt this was an intentional suppression of their voices and their stories—that was not our intent whatsoever.”

However, Marwa Fatafta, Middle East and North Africa policy advisor for Access Now, argued that the issue remains “not resolved”, asking for more “clarity”. Fatafta also said that “system glitches” are not acceptable as an “excuse” here, while there have also reportedly been users getting messages saying that their posts are “violating community standards” on Instagram.

“Moderation is on the rise, and it’s really a blunt object. The companies don’t pay enough attention to cultural contexts like Palestine where there’s basically less profit, so they put a lot more effort into making content moderation and automation effective in larger markets.”

– Jillian York, Director for international freedom of expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

For the full report, click here.

[ SOURCE ]

Related reading

Recent Posts

ChargEV deploys 400kW DC Charger at The Starling Mall

ChargEV has just deployed the largest EV fast charging hub at Damansara Uptown. Located near…

14 hours ago

It’s time to future-proof your home. Here’s why you need hyperspeed fibre internet with FTTR

Malaysians are spoilt for choice when it comes to ultra-high-speed broadband. While it is easy…

14 hours ago

Spotify Premium reduces family account from 6 to 4. But what about existing users?

If you're planning to subscribe to Spotify Premium for your family, take note that the…

16 hours ago

Deal: CapCut Pro now offered with 70% discount, with extra free subscription up to 1 year

If you're a content creator who rely on CapCut a lot to edit your TikTok…

18 hours ago

Hotlink finally offers eSIM for Postpaid and Prepaid

More than 5 years since Maxis introduced eSIM for its postpaid customers, the embedded SIM…

20 hours ago

Malaysians can travel to China without a Visa for 30 days starting 30 November

Mainland China has revised its visa waiver for Malaysian visitors and they have extended the…

22 hours ago

This website uses cookies.