'Meta restricts political content on social media': parties file complaint with Agcom
Selective control over political information on its main social platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, allegedly operated by the multinational Meta (formerly Facebook), was reported to the Authority
2' min read
2' min read
A bipartisan complaint to the Authority for Communications Guarantees (Agcom) over the 'Meta case'. After the parliamentary questions by Marco Furfaro (PD), followed by that of Maurizio Gasparri (FI), the social expert and political activist Leonardo Cecchi presented a complaint with 43 MPs from all parties as signatories. The signatures came from the PD and Avs, but also from FdI exponents and the Italia Viva Roberto Giachetti deputy, united in denouncing to the Authority the selective control over political information on its main social platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, allegedly operated by the multinational Meta (formerly Facebook). 'Therefore,' the complaint reads, 'the need for Agcom's intervention is signalled for the prompt resolution of the matter described'.
Direct Content Control Policy
."Starting in 2021, the multinational Meta has gradually begun to implement a policy of direct control over political, social and civic information, initially produced for its main platform, Facebook, and then extended to Instagram and Threads". This policy, announced by the company itself on its site, 'operates on all publications considered political, not just those that are potentially dangerous, sensitive or contain fake news', reads the report, which also recalls, as reported by the multinational itself, that the policy works 'through an AI that pre-emptively analyses the contents published by users and pages, then deciding whether, how and how much to alternate their visibility with the public'.
Risk of distortion of political competition
.The critical points put in black and white in the complaint concern, among other things, the distortion of political competition; the pollution of democratic voting; and the excessive power of Meta. A company that has 'a monopoly on social information, controlling the largest share of this critical infrastructure', and for this reason the complainants ask that the Authority arrange for the 'appropriate investigations and adopt' the measures provided for and permitted by law.
