Meta, X approve ads containing violent anti-Muslim, antisemitic hate speech ahead of German election
Social media giants Meta and X approved ads targeting users in Germany with violent anti-Muslim and anti-Jew hate speech in the run-up to the country's federal elections. The platforms' ad review systems failed to detect or reject submissions for ads containing hateful and violent messaging targeting minorities. Most of these ads were scheduled to run on Facebook and Instagram, potentially exposing millions of German voters to extreme content.
- This disturbing outcome highlights the urgent need for greater regulatory oversight and industry-wide standards for detecting and preventing hate speech on social media platforms.
- Can Meta and X be held accountable for enabling the spread of hate speech in Germany, particularly when their own moderation policies are proven to be ineffective in preventing such ads?