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Meta, X approved ads containing violent anti-Muslim, antisemitic hate speechahead of German election, study finds
Research by Eko reveals that Meta and X approved ads featuring violent anti-Muslim and antisemitic hate speech ahead of Germany's federal elections on February 23, 2025, raising concerns over both platforms’ ad moderation policies amidst escalating political tensions surrounding immigration.
Key points
- Eko conducted a study analyzing ad approvals by Meta and X before the German elections.
- Most test ads with violent hate speech targeting Muslims and Jews were quickly approved.
- Meta rejected half of the ads while X approved all submissions, highlighting lax moderation.
- Ads included extreme hate speech and incitement to violence, reflecting rising xenophobia in political discourse.
- Neither platform is adequately enforcing hate speech bans as per their policies.
Why it matters
- This incident underscores failures of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) aimed at combating illegal content.
- Similar studies have shown biases in social media algorithms, particularly promoting far-right content.
- Meta's recent moderation rollbacks signify challenges in regulating online hate speech and misinformation.
- Growing public concern over tech companies’ role in influencing elections signals a need for stricter policies.
The findings from Eko's study indicate significant shortcomings in Meta and X's ad moderation capabilities, potentially undermining democratic processes in light of the upcoming elections and escalating hate speech.