• US social media platforms face backlash over Israel-Gaza conflict

    US social media platforms face backlash over Israel-Gaza conflict

    US social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, have been accused of bias and censorship over their handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict, which has claimed more than 200 lives in the past two weeks. Many users, especially Palestinians and their supporters, have reported that their posts, accounts, and hashtags have been deleted, suspended, or restricted by the platforms, without any clear explanation or recourse.

    The Israel-Gaza conflict, which erupted on May 10, has been one of the most discussed topics on social media, as millions of users have shared their views, opinions, and experiences on the situation. However, many users have also complained that their content has been removed or limited by the social media platforms, allegedly for violating their community standards or terms of service.

    Some of the examples of the content that has been affected include:

    • Posts and videos showing the destruction and casualties caused by the Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, or the Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.
    • Posts and stories expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause, or criticizing the Israeli policies and actions.
    • Hashtags such as #GazaUnderAttack, #SaveSheikhJarrah, or #FreePalestine, which have been used to raise awareness and mobilize support for the Palestinians.
    • Accounts and pages of Palestinian activists, journalists, and organizations, such as the Palestinian Information Center, the Shehab News Agency, or the Al-Quds News Network, which have been suspended or deleted by the platforms.

    Users who have been affected by these actions have said that they have received vague or automated messages from the platforms, stating that their content has violated their rules on violence, hate speech, terrorism, or misinformation, without providing any specific details or evidence. Users have also said that they have faced difficulties in appealing or restoring their content or accounts, and that they have received no response or explanation from the platforms.

    Users accuse social media platforms of bias and double standards

    Many users have accused the social media platforms of bias and double standards, and of siding with the Israeli narrative and interests, while silencing or suppressing the Palestinian voices and perspectives. Users have also questioned the criteria and mechanisms that the platforms use to moderate and flag the content related to the conflict, and have demanded more transparency and accountability from the platforms.

    Some of the arguments and criticisms that users have raised include:

    • The social media platforms have a disproportionate number of Israeli or pro-Israeli employees, partners, or influencers, who have the power and influence to shape the content and discourse on the platforms.
    • The social media platforms have been pressured or influenced by the Israeli government, lobby groups, or organizations, who have reported or flagged the content that is critical or unfavorable to Israel, and have requested or demanded the platforms to remove or limit such content.
    • The social media platforms have applied different standards and rules to the content related to the conflict, depending on the source, language, or location of the users, and have favored the content that supports or justifies the Israeli actions, while restricting or penalizing the content that exposes or condemns the Israeli violations.
    • The social media platforms have failed to distinguish between the legitimate and peaceful expression of opinion or information, and the incitement or promotion of violence or hatred, and have unfairly labeled or treated the Palestinian content as the latter.

    Social media platforms defend their policies and actions

    The social media platforms have defended their policies and actions, and have denied any bias or censorship over the content related to the conflict. The platforms have said that they are committed to protecting the freedom of expression and the safety of their users, and that they are following their established and consistent community standards and terms of service, which apply to all users and content, regardless of their political or religious views.

    Some of the responses and explanations that the platforms have given include:

    • The social media platforms have acknowledged that some of the content or accounts related to the conflict have been mistakenly or erroneously removed or limited by their automated systems or human reviewers, and that they have restored or reinstated such content or accounts as soon as they have been notified or appealed by the users.
    • The social media platforms have clarified that some of the content or accounts related to the conflict have been intentionally or legitimately removed or limited by their systems or reviewers, because they have violated their rules on violence, hate speech, terrorism, or misinformation, and that they have provided the users with the reasons and evidence for such actions.
    • The social media platforms have emphasized that they are working hard and fast to review and moderate the massive amount and variety of content related to the conflict, and that they are trying to balance the competing and complex interests and values of their users and stakeholders, and the evolving and dynamic nature of the situation.