“Facebook’s inability to handle diverse languages and cultural nuances leads to hate speech and censorship issues across volatile regions.”

Facebook faces widespread criticism for its inadequate content moderation, especially in regions like the Middle East, India, and Myanmar, where its language limitations and cultural misunderstandings exacerbate harmful content issues. Internal documents from whistleblower Frances Haugen reveal systemic problems in Facebook’s moderation, including reliance on insufficient artificial intelligence and a shortage of skilled moderators fluent in local dialects.

For instance, in the Gaza Strip and Syria, activists have accused Facebook of unjustly censoring Arabic posts, often mistaking ordinary content for terrorism. Meanwhile, the platform has failed to curb incitement in countries like Myanmar, where anti-Rohingya hate speech flourishes. Similarly, in India, extremist rhetoric by far-right groups remains unchecked due to the lack of filters for Hindi and Bengali.

Arabic, Facebook’s third most common language, poses specific challenges, as its many dialects complicate automated and human moderation. The platform’s perceived bias, favouring governments over minority groups, has further fueled distrust. Palestinian journalists report extensive account deletions, while archives documenting conflicts are often removed without cause.

Efforts to address these gaps, including hiring more local moderators, remain insufficient. Facebook acknowledges the need for better systems and resources to mitigate harm and uphold freedom of expression in diverse cultural contexts. However, critics warn that the stakes—ranging from amplified inequality to heightened violence—are too high for incremental progress.