Meta's Content Policies Questioned After Biden Video Controversy

Meta Platforms, Inc META is under scrutiny for its policies on manipulated content and AI-created "deepfakes" following its refusal to remove a misleading video of U.S. President Joe Biden from Facebook. The company's Oversight Board, an independent entity established in 2020, has initiated a review to assess the adequacy of Meta's guidelines on altered videos and images. 

An edited video posted during the 2022 U.S. midterm elections falsely portraying Biden negatively triggered the action, the Financial Times reports.

Also Read: Amazon's Voice Assistant Alexa Under Fire For Inaccurate Election Info

The video, edited without AI, is part of a broader issue concerning the impact of manipulated media on global elections. 

Thomas Hughes, director of the Oversight Board administration, emphasized the complexity of balancing free speech and Meta's human rights responsibilities regarding misleading content. 

The review aims to establish best practices for authenticating video content at scale, especially as AI-altered content, or deepfakes, become more advanced and prevalent.

The case emerged after a user reported the misleading Biden video to Meta. The company decided to leave the video online, a decision upheld after a Facebook appeals process and confirmed by the Oversight Board. This case adds to the board's increasing investigations into content moderation related to elections and civic events.

The board can issue non-binding policy recommendations to Meta, requiring a response within two months. 

Meta has maintained that the edited Biden video does not violate its manipulated media, hate speech, or bullying policies, as it was "merely edited to remove certain portions" and not a deepfake. 

The public can provide anonymous submissions during the review process.

Facebook faced flak after the 2016 U.S. election for unwittingly selling ads to Russian trolls and for fueling the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill Riot.

Price Action: META shares traded higher by 1.36% at $322.68 on the last check Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.