Unjust content moderation at the request of Israel’s cyber unit

Since October 7, 2023, social media platforms have faced criticism for unjustly removing pro-Palestinian content, often at the request of Israel's Cyber Unit, which issues takedown requests to combat perceived incitement to violence and terrorism. Between October 7 and November 14, Israeli authorities sent 9,500 takedown requests, with Meta reportedly complying with 94% of them. This collaboration raises concerns about human rights and free expression, as it disproportionately targets Palestinian rights activists and civil society while failing to address hate speech against Palestinians. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) highlights that such government involvement in content moderation can lead to biased platforms that suppress dissent and control public dialogue. EFF urges social media companies to adopt the Santa Clara Principles to enhance transparency and accountability in content moderation, emphasizing the need for local stakeholder involvement and protection against state manipulation. The organization stresses that Palestinians should have equal representation in discussions about content moderation affecting their rights. EFF has previously raised concerns about censorship in Palestine and has called for reforms in moderation practices, particularly regarding Arabic-language content. The ongoing situation reflects broader issues of digital apartheid, where the rights of marginalized groups are compromised in favor of governmental interests. EFF's recommendations aim to ensure that platforms do not contribute to human rights violations and that all voices, especially those of Palestinians, are heard in the digital space.