Meta Admits Operational Error in Deleting Anwar Ibrahim’s Content
- Meta restores Malaysian Prime Minister’s posts about Hamas leader
- Apology issued for removal of content deemed as error
- Content restored with ‘correct newsworthy label’
- Malaysia supports Palestine and Hamas
Meta Platforms has restored social media posts by Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim concerning the late political leader of Hamas, citing an operational error for their initial removal. The company apologized for taking down content from Ibrahim’s Facebook and Instagram accounts that offered condolences and paid tribute to Haniyeh after his death in Tehran. The posts were later reinstated with a ‘newsworthy label.’ Meta typically removes content deemed violating community standards but allows exceptions for public interest cases. In May, it removed and restored Malaysian media’s coverage of Ibrahim’s meeting with Haniyeh. The prime minister’s office demanded an explanation and apology, calling the removal a ‘blatant suppression of free expression.’ Malaysia supports Palestine and Hamas.
Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about Meta’s removal of posts from Anwar Ibrahim’s accounts and their subsequent restoration, citing an operational error. It also mentions the previous incident involving Hamas and Malaysia’s support for Palestine. However, it could be improved by providing more context on Meta’s community standards and the specific details of the operational error.
Noise Level: 4
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about Meta’s removal of posts related to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the restoration of those posts due to an operational error. However, it lacks in-depth analysis or exploration of the consequences of such actions on free expression and does not offer significant actionable insights.
Public Companies: Meta Platforms (META)
Key People: Anwar Ibrahim (Prime Minister of Malaysia), Ismail Haniyeh (Top political leader of Hamas)
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Meta (Facebook’s parent company) stock price
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses Meta’s removal and restoration of social media posts by the Malaysian prime minister, which could potentially impact public perception of the company and its operations, affecting its stock price.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article. Meta made an operational error by removing and then restoring posts on Anwar’s accounts, but it was a minor issue that did not have significant consequences.
www.wsj.com 
