Meta Platforms Inc.’s Oversight Board has voiced concerns over the company’s policies on manipulated media, following its decision to allow a misleading video of President Joe Biden to remain on the platform. While agreeing with Meta’s choice regarding the specific video, the board criticized the narrow scope and coherence of the current policies.
The Oversight Board finds Meta’s policies on manipulated media to be “incoherent” and lacking justification, particularly in addressing specific harms like electoral disruption.
The focus on how content is created rather than its potential harm is deemed inappropriate by the board.
The decision to retain the manipulated video of Biden, which depicted him in a misleading context, raised concerns about the effectiveness of Meta’s policies.
While not violating current guidelines, the video’s existence highlighted the need for broader and more comprehensive policies.
The Oversight Board suggests that Meta update its policies to cover manipulated media portraying actions individuals didn’t take, including fake audio.
Emphasis is placed on clarifying the specific harms targeted by the policies, such as interference with the electoral process, rather than solely focusing on AI-generated content.
Michael McConnell, the board’s co-chair, critiques Meta’s policy for its selective application and failure to address all forms of manipulated media effectively.
The need for policy revisions becomes evident as AI technology evolves, posing greater challenges in detecting and addressing misinformation.
The Oversight Board serves as a check on Meta’s content moderation decisions, aiming to ensure accountability and transparency.
While funded by Meta, the board operates independently, reviewing various content-related issues and providing recommendations for improvement.
As Meta grapples with the complexities of manipulated media and its impact on electoral processes, the Oversight Board’s critique underscores the necessity for robust and adaptable content policies. By addressing the shortcomings highlighted, Meta can better safeguard its platforms against misinformation and maintain public trust.
Source: Adapted from The TIME