Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced it will lift its blanket ban on the word “shaheed,” which translates to “martyr” in English. This decision comes after a year-long review by Meta’s independent Oversight Board, which found the company’s previous approach to be “overbroad.”
For several years, Meta has faced criticism for its handling of content related to the Middle East. A 2021 study, commissioned by Meta itself, revealed that its content moderation policies had an “adverse human rights impact” on Palestinian and other Arabic-speaking users. These concerns intensified during the conflict between Israel and Hamas in October 2021.
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The Oversight Board, established by Meta but independent in its operations, launched a review last year due to the high number of content removals triggered by the word “shaheed.” This word, often used in a religious context, had become the most frequently removed term on Meta platforms.
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