The Oversight Board has advised Meta to reconsider its moderation of the term “shaheed,” an Arabic word that has resulted in numerous content takedowns on the company’s platforms. Meta reached out to the board for assistance in developing new guidelines after internal efforts to revise them stalled.
While “shaheed” is often translated as “martyr,” the Oversight Board emphasizes that this translation is not definitive and the word can convey multiple meanings. Meta’s current policies are rooted solely in the “martyr” interpretation, which the company believes implies praise. This has led to a blanket prohibition on the word in relation to individuals classified as dangerous by Meta.
The Oversight Board argues that this approach overlooks the linguistic nuances of “shaheed,” which is commonly used in reporting, academic discourse, and human rights discussions, even in contexts that do not glorify violent actions. The board suggests that the removal of content linked to the word may inadvertently target material that does not endorse terrorism.
In its recommendations to Meta, the Oversight Board proposes lifting the blanket ban on using “shaheed” in reference to dangerous individuals and suggests removing posts only if there are clear indications of violence or violations of other policies. Additionally, the board calls for improved transparency regarding Meta’s use of automated systems for enforcement.
Implementing the Oversight Board’s suggestions could significantly impact Meta’s Arabic-speaking user base, as “shaheed” likely accounts for a substantial portion of content removals under the Community Standards. The board expresses concerns that Meta’s censorship-centric approach could hinder journalism and civic discourse by discouraging coverage of designated entities to avoid content removal.
This critique of Meta’s moderation policies is not the first to highlight disparities impacting Arabic-speaking users. A previous report commissioned by the company revealed inaccuracies in moderating Palestinian Arabic, leading to erroneous account suspensions. Meta has faced criticism for issues like Instagram’s translations inserting the word “terrorist” into Palestinian users’ profiles.
The Oversight Board’s opinion underscores the lengthy process of influencing Meta’s policies. Meta initially sought the board’s input on the rules over a year ago, but publication was postponed to ensure alignment with the conflict in Gaza. Meta now has two months to respond to the board’s recommendations, with actual policy changes potentially requiring additional time to implement.
A Meta spokesperson reiterated the company’s commitment to facilitating safe expression on its platforms, acknowledging the challenges of enforcing policies at a global scale. Meta is set to review the Oversight Board’s feedback on “shaheed” usage and provide a response within 60 days.
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