Meta Platforms has announced the end of its widespread prohibition on the word “shaheed” following a year-long assessment by its oversight board. The review concluded that the company’s previous approach was excessive.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has faced ongoing criticism for its handling of Middle East-related content. A 2021 study commissioned by Meta revealed that its policies negatively impacted human rights for Palestinians and other Arabic-speaking users. These criticisms have intensified since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October.
The independent oversight board initiated the review after it was found that the word “Palestine” led to more content removals on Meta’s platforms than any other term. This move marks a significant shift in Meta’s content moderation policies, aiming to address concerns over free expression and human rights.