Madrid Times

España Viva: Your Window to Madrid and Beyond
Sunday, Mar 16, 2025

Inquiry: Social Media Platforms Sanctioned Advertisements Featuring Anti-Semitic and Anti-Muslim Material in Germany

Studies show that Meta and X authorized advertisements featuring hate speech and incitements to violence prior to the federal elections in Germany.
A recent study by a German corporate responsibility organization has uncovered that the social media platforms Meta (Facebook) and X (previously Twitter) approved advertisements featuring anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim messages leading up to Germany's federal elections.

As part of their research, the investigators submitted 20 ads containing violent language and hate speech aimed at minority groups.

The findings indicated that X approved all 10 of the ads submitted to its platform, while Meta cleared 5 out of 10. These ads included calls for violence against Jews and Muslims, derogatory comparisons of Muslim refugees to 'viruses' and 'rodents,' and calls for extermination or sterilization.

One advertisement even promoted setting synagogues ablaze to 'stop the Jewish globalist agenda.' The researchers pointed out that while the ads were flagged and removed prior to publication, the results raise significant concerns about the content moderation practices of these social media platforms.

The organization behind the research has presented its findings to the European Commission, which is expected to initiate an investigation into potential breaches of the EU Digital Services Act by Meta and X. The timing of this revelation is particularly poignant, as it coincides with the upcoming federal elections in Germany, sparking worries about the potential impact of hate speech on the democratic process.

Previously, Facebook encountered backlash during the Cambridge Analytica incident, where a data analytics firm was found to have manipulated elections globally through similar tactics, resulting in a $5 billion fine.

Additionally, Elon Musk, the owner of X, has been accused of directly interfering in the German elections, including endorsing the far-right AfD party.

It remains uncertain if the approval of such advertisements stems from Musk's political leanings or his broader dedication to 'free speech' on X. Musk has dismantled X's content moderation framework, instituting a 'community notes' system where users add context to posts to offer different perspectives.

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO, announced a comparable system for Facebook, although he indicated that AI-driven content moderation would still be utilized to combat hate speech and unlawful content.

Nonetheless, this transition has raised alarms, particularly given reports that extremist right-wing content is increasingly being promoted on platforms like X and TikTok, influencing public sentiment.

The economic decline and surging violence associated with attacks linked to Muslim migrants in recent months have exacerbated these tensions.

It is unclear whether the rise in extremist content is a consequence of real-life circumstances or if social media algorithms are pushing such messages to enhance user engagement.

Regardless, both Musk and Zuckerberg have shown a readiness to reduce content moderation despite pressure from the European Union and German officials.

Whether this investigation will prompt the EU to tighten regulations on X, Facebook, and TikTok is undetermined, but it underlines the ongoing challenge of balancing free speech with the need to curb extremist content.

The study illustrates the broader concern that hate speech frequently aligns with political motives, complicating the roles of social media platforms in content moderation.

While discussions on regulatory measures continue, the question of who should regulate digital speech—private companies or governmental bodies—remains unanswered.

Like traditional media outlets, social media platforms may face growing scrutiny regarding how they manage user-generated content.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Inquiry: Social Media Platforms Sanctioned Advertisements Featuring Anti-Semitic and Anti-Muslim Material in Germany
French Prime Minister Bayrou Emphasizes Position Against US Tariff Threats
DOGE has found that there are 394 million recipients of Social Security in the United States.
FBI Issues Alert on Increasing Smishing Scams Aimed at Mobile Users
The EU and Canada Declare Countervailing Tariffs in Response to U.S. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
Romania Excludes Top Presidential Contender Călin Georgescu from Election Repetition
Pope Francis Displays Signs of Recovery, Yet His Hospitalization Persists.
Leak of Radioactive Coolant Reported at Europe’s Largest Nuclear Reactor
Russian Teacher Under Investigation After Explicit Content Incident in Classroom
Poland Plans Comprehensive Military Training for All Adult Males Amid Enhanced Defense Initiatives
Trump Discovers Negotiating with Russia Less Challenging than with Ukraine Amid Continuing Conflict
EU Member States Endorse Gradual Rollout of Entry/Exit System
Pope Francis's Health Status: Vatican Reports Stable Condition
MPs from Across the Parties Express Worry About Proposed Reductions to the UK Aid Budget
U.S. Sets Up Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve, Triggering Market Rally
Zelenskyy Convenes with UK Prime Minister Starmer During Rising US Tensions
Here, unelected President Zelensky meets with two top American democratically elected officials who are neither stupid, nor bribed, nor blind
Pope Francis Admitted to Hospital Due to Pneumonia Faces Breathing Difficulties
Katy Perry to Participate in All-Female Space Team on Blue Origin Mission
Apple Sued for Allegations of Deceptive Carbon Neutrality Claims Regarding Watches
US President Asserts NATO Membership for Ukraine Is Off the Table
Germany's Election Outcomes: Migrants Confront Insecurity as Far-Right Support Grows
Unelected President Zelenskiy suggests he will step down only if the unthinkable occurs: Ukraine becomes a NATO member.
German Election Polls Indicate Change as Conservatives Take the Lead and the Far Right Makes Strides
Research Examines Possible Connection Between COVID-19 Vaccines and Post-Vaccination Syndrome
American Airlines Flight Rerouted to Rome Following Bomb Threat
German Chancellor Recognizes Party Loss in National Elections
Trump Commends German Election Outcomes as 'Fantastic Day for Germany'
German Political Leaders Respond to Election Outcomes
Preliminary Exit Polls Suggest Conservative Advantage in German Election
The US may restrict Ukraine's access to Starlink internet services due to mineral concerns.
Stabbing Incident in Mulhouse, France: One Fatality, President Condemns Islamist Terrorism
Vatican Declares Pope Francis' Health Status as 'Critical'
U.S. and Hungarian Officials Engage in Dialogue on Economic Collaboration and Sanctions Strategy
Tech Giants Ramp Up Lobbying Campaigns Against Strict EU Regulations
Pope Francis Admitted to Hospital in Rome Amid Increasing Speculation About Succession
Zelensky Calls on World Leaders to Back Peace Amidst Strains with Trump
UK Leader Keir Starmer Calls for US Security Guarantee in Ukraine Peace Deal
NATO Chief Urges Higher Defense Expenditure in Europe
The negotiation teams of Trump and Putin meet directly, establishing the groundwork for a significant advance.
Pope Francis Continues to Stay in the Hospital as Physicians Treat Complicated Infection.
Rubio Reaches Riyadh Before Important U.S.-Russia Discussions
Transatlantic Gold Rush: Traders Shift Bullion Amid Concerns Over Tariffs and Market Turmoil
AI Giants Confront Nvidia's Supremacy in Light of New Chip Innovations
Macron Summons Emergency Summit Amid Threats to Ukraine-War Business Model
Trump’s Defense Secretary: Ukraine Won’t Join NATO or Regain Lost Territories
Zelensky Urges Europe to Strengthen Its Military in Light of Uncertain US Assistance
Trump's Greenland Suggestion Sparks Sovereignty Discussion Amidst Historical Resentments
OpenAI Board Dismisses Elon Musk's Proposal for Acquisition
JD Vance and Scholz Did Not Attend the Munich Security Conference Together.
×