The Urgent Need for Social Media Companies to Address the Escalation of Online Hate and Censorship in Israel-Palestine

Social Media Companies Must Take Urgent Action to Address Online Hate and Racism Amid Israel-Palestine Conflict

The Escalating Crisis

Amnesty International has called on major social media companies to address the rising tide of online hate and racism targeting Palestinian and Jewish communities in light of the escalating conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The organization’s research has revealed a worrisome increase in the advocacy of hatred, incitement to violence, and discrimination on social media platforms, all of which violate international human rights law. Furthermore, Amnesty International has documented reports indicating potentially discriminatory content moderation against Palestinians and advocates of Palestinian rights. Given the crucial role that social media plays in times of crisis for communication, urgent measures need to be implemented to protect human rights.

The Dangers of Hate Speech

Amnesty International’s research highlights the prevalence of social media posts glorifying Israel’s attacks on civilians in Gaza, supporting the destruction of Gaza, and advocating violence against Palestinians. Many of these posts use dehumanizing and racist language, some of which mirrors the language used by Israeli authorities. Similarly, the organization has documented numerous antisemitic posts advocating hatred and violence against Jewish people. These disturbing trends indicate the dangerous potential of social media platforms to contribute to gross human rights violations, including war crimes, which have been a tragic feature of the ongoing conflict.

Unequal Content Moderation

Amnesty International’s findings also shed light on the unequal content moderation practices of social media platforms. There are concerning reports of over-broad censorship of content from Palestinian accounts and advocates of Palestinian rights, which can be categorized as “shadowbanning.” This oppressive censorship limits the ability of Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip to seek, receive, and impart information, thus undermining their fundamental rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. This unequal treatment on social media platforms further exacerbates the existing communication blackout experienced by Palestinians in Gaza.

The Responsibility of Social Media Companies

Rasha Abdul-Rahim, Director of Amnesty Tech, emphasizes that social media companies must ensure their platforms do not broadcast messages of hatred and violence, as this would contribute to grave human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law. It is essential for social media companies to invest in human oversight of content moderation systems driven by artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent the reproduction of societal biases. Adequate resources and personnel should be dedicated to preserving freedom of expression and combating rampant advocacy of hatred. Unfortunately, some social media platforms have laid off staff responsible for human rights compliance, hampering their ability to address these critical issues effectively.

Algorithms and Bias

Amnesty International’s research has revealed that social media algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, often disproportionately amplify harmful and inflammatory content, including hate speech inciting violence, hostility, and discrimination. The dangerous consequences of perpetuating such content must be acknowledged and addressed. Big Tech companies bear the responsibility of evaluating the actual and potential human rights impacts of their platforms to ensure they do not contribute to human rights abuses, hate speech, racism, or the spread of misinformation.

The Complex Reality of the Conflict

It is crucial to recognize the complex nature of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the serious violations of international law committed by all parties involved. Amnesty International condemns the flagrant violations of international law by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, who have carried out mass summary killings, hostage-taking, and indiscriminate rocket attacks into Israel. In response, Israeli forces have launched intensive air bombardments across the Gaza Strip. As the conflict intensifies, the already dire humanitarian situation has been further aggravated by Israel’s 16-year-long illegal blockade, which constitutes the war crime of collective punishment. Mounting restrictions on protests defending Palestinian human rights have also been observed in various parts of the West Bank and Europe.

Conclusion: A Call for Action

The urgent need for major social media companies to address the propagation of online hate and racism against Palestinian and Jewish communities cannot be overstated. Immediate action is required to protect human rights and prevent the exacerbation of this humanitarian crisis. Social media platforms must ensure equal application of content moderation policies, invest in human oversight of AI systems, and create a mechanism for users to report wrongful blocking or removal of content. The responsibility lies with Big Tech to uphold their commitment to human rights and prevent their platforms from becoming conduits for hate, racism, and misinformation. Without swift and decisive action, social media companies risk being complicit in perpetuating human rights abuses and undermining the principles of international humanitarian law. It is imperative that they take a stand against the propagation of hatred and violence, as the world continues to grapple with the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.