Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced it would lift its blanket ban on the word 'shaheed' (which means 'martyr' in English). The move follows a year-long review by Meta's independent oversight board, which concluded that the company's approach to the word was overly broad.

Meta faced strong criticism for its content policies, particularly regarding the Middle East. A 2021 study commissioned by Meta Platforms highlighted the adverse human rights impact on Palestinians and other Arabic-speaking users. Criticisms intensified with the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in October.

Why does it matter?

The review revealed that Meta's policy on the word 'shaheed' did not consider its various meanings, often resulting in the removal of non-violent content. Meta acknowledged these findings and adjusted its approach, removing content only when 'shaheed' is paired with otherwise violating content. The oversight board welcomed this change, noting that the previous policy had led to widespread censorship across Meta's platforms.