Meta’s rollback of content moderation policies has allowed antisemitism, white supremacy and terrorist propaganda to flourish on Instagram, a new report released Wednesday by the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism claims.
The analysis — ‘“How Meta’s Content Moderation Changes Risk Turning Instagram into a Hub for Hate”– reveals that Instagram removed just 7% of hateful and extremist content reported by its researchers.
The civil rights and Jewish advocacy group called the anemic screening of hateful content a “systemic failure” to protect users on one of the world’s most widely used social media platforms.
ADL’s researchers reported 253 pieces of violent content through Instagram’s standard user-reporting system, covering 150 accounts and 103 posts that involved white supremacist networks, propaganda for designated terrorist organizations and vendors selling Nazi merchandise.
Instagram removed only 11 accounts and eight posts, a 93% non-removal rate, the report claims.
In 20 cases, Instagram admitted it lacked the capability to even review the reports, the ADL said.
“Instagram is developing into a hub for hate and antisemitism, and our research demonstrates
this clearly,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL’s CEO and national director.
“Meta’s moderation rollback has created a permissive environment where extremists thrive, bad actors turn Instagram’s own features into amplification tools for hate, and as a result, vulnerable communities suffer,” Greenblatt added. “As a company operating some of the largest communication platforms in human history, it is imperative that Meta change course to avoid the further normalization of antisemitism, hate and violent extremism globally.”
The report found:
- Despite a personal ban since 2021, influencer Nick Fuentes has built a shadow network of 105 plus affiliated accounts with 1.4 million combined followers, with a single pro-Hitler reel receiving 2.7 million views and 172,000 likes.
- At least 23 accounts were found to be spreading ISIS and Al-Qaeda propaganda while 33 accounts were tied to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, including one actively fundraising for the designated terrorist organization through its Instagram bio.
- A single extremist merchandise vendor accumulated 3.2 million views selling apparel with Nazi symbols, repeatedly rebuilding after account removals, even after Shopify suspended its payment processing for hateful content.
ADL recommended that Meta reinstate stricter moderation measures against violent content, committing to reviewing all user reports and restoring meaningful researcher data access through tools like CrowdTangle or specialized APIs.
ADL also asked Meta to work with its experts on hate and extremism to better screen bigoted and inflammatory content.
Meta moderated its content policy last year after CEO Mark Zuckerberg said its other social media platform, Facebook, had done “too much censorship” and scrapped network fact-checking and restrictions on free speech as Donald Trump returned for a second stint as president.
Facebook infamously censored The Post’s first reports on the contents of Hunter Biden’s infamous laptop in October 2020, with critics saying the social media giant was using its influence to favor Democrats over Republicans.
Meta took another hit recently after two court verdicts found it liable for failing to protect children, potentially teeing up thousands of similar legal challenges.
Meta, in a statement, rebutted the ADL’s claims that it’s updated content policy condoned hate or allowed it to flourish.
“Our commitment and dedication to tackling antisemitism is unchanged because this type of violent and hateful material has no place on our platforms. Over two-thirds of the accounts and posts flagged by the ADL were removed prior to the publication of this report, while some did not violate our policies,” an ADL spokpesperson said.
Meta countered its policy doesn’t allow content that glorifies, supports, or represents Nick Fuentes or Groypers, and removes it when it is found.
The firm said it bars and removes posts that violates its policy regarding terrorism, drugs and frauds and scams.
Meta’s policies that prohibit Nazi images and holocaust denial remain in effect.
The company said its policy does allow content that condemns, is satirical, or is news reporting about these topics.
The company noted its platforms provide an adversarial space that invites debate and acknowledged there are instances of groups or individuals taking on new tactics to avoid detection and evade its policies, and it is constantly monitoring and updating its enforcement.
