Meta and X approved hate speech ads against Muslims ahead of German elections

Social media platforms under scrutiny for permitting violent anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish content

BERLIN, Germany (MNTV) — Meta and X have been accused of approving ads containing violent hate speech targeting Muslim and Jewish communities in the lead-up to Germany’s federal elections. 

The claims are based on a report by TechCrunch, which highlights findings from research conducted by Eko, a nonprofit group focused on corporate responsibility.

The research, conducted in mid-February, tested whether the two platforms would approve ads that included anti-Muslim slurs, calls for immigrant imprisonment in concentration camps, and AI-generated imagery of mosques and synagogues being burned. 

The findings revealed that the platforms failed to adequately moderate such content. 

X approved all 10 of the hate-filled ads submitted by Eko, while Meta approved five of the 10, despite its policy against hate speech in ads.

The approved ads on Meta included violent content, such as calling for the extermination of Muslim refugees and inciting attacks on synagogues. 

Similarly, X allowed harmful ads, including one that spread antisemitic tropes about Jews manipulating climate change for economic gain. 

Both platforms also approved AI-generated visuals, despite Meta’s policy requiring disclosure for such imagery in political or social ads.

These findings highlight the ongoing challenges with content moderation on social media, particularly in the context of elections. 

Despite having guidelines in place, both platforms have been criticized for failing to enforce these rules effectively. 

Civil society groups have called on regulators to take stronger action against Big Tech’s role in spreading disinformation and inciting violence, urging enforcement of the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) to hold these companies accountable.

The research suggests that Meta and X could be profiting from the distribution of harmful content, undermining efforts to protect democratic processes.