Meta’s oversight board rules on content moderation in Venezuela amidst post-election crisis

Meta’s Oversight Board has issued a decision regarding the company’s content moderation policies in Venezuela amidst violent crackdowns and widespread protests following the disputed presidential election.

The ruling addresses how Meta should handle posts concerning state-supported armed groups, known as ‘colectivos’. This follows Meta’s request for guidance on moderating increasing volumes of ‘anti-colectivos content’, highlighting two specific posts for review: an Instagram post saying ‘Go to hell! I hope they kill you all!’ aimed at the colectivos, and a Facebook post criticising Venezuela’s security forces, stating ‘kill those damn colectivos’.

The Oversight Board determined that neither post violated Meta’s rules on calls for violence, instead categorising both as ‘aspirational statements’ from citizens facing severe repression and threats to free expression from state-supported forces. The board justified this by noting the colectivos’ role in repressing civic space and committing human rights violations in Venezuela, particularly during the current post-election crisis. The board emphasised that the civilian population is predominantly the target of such abuses.

Additionally, the board critiqued Meta’s practice of making political content less visible across its platforms during critical times, expressing concerns that this could undermine users’ ability to express political dissent and raise awareness about the situation in Venezuela. It recommended that Meta adapt its policies to ensure political content, especially during crises like elections and post-electoral protests, receives the same reach as non-political content. This adjustment is vital for enabling citizens to share and amplify their political grievances during significant socio-political turmoil.

Why does it matter?

This decision is part of an ongoing debate about the role of political content on Meta’s platforms. Earlier this year, the board accepted its first case related to a post on Threads, another Meta service, focusing on the company’s decision to limit recommendations of political posts. The outcome of this related case is still pending, signalling potential further policy changes regarding political content on Meta’s platforms. The board’s decision underscores the critical role of context in content moderation, particularly in regions experiencing significant political and social upheaval.