TikTok Rejects Malaysian Govt's Accusation That It Is Blocking Pro-Palestinian Content
Similarly, Meta too denied the accusations, saying there was "no truth".
By Reuters — 30 Oct 2023, 12:03 AM
Social media platform TikTok said accusations by the Malaysian government that it was blocking pro-Palestinian content were "unfounded"
Malaysia on Thursday, 26 October, warned of action against social media firms TikTok and Meta, saying their platforms had been accused of restricting content supporting Palestinians.
Meta responded the same day, saying there was "no truth" to the accusation and that it was not deliberately suppressing voices on its Facebook platform.
A TikTok spokesperson, in an email to Reuters on Friday, 27 October, also rejected Malaysia's accusation that it was blocking pro-Palestinian content.
"The claim is unfounded. Our community guidelines apply equally to all content on TikTok, and we're committed to consistently enforcing our policies to protect our community," the spokesperson said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim gestures during a solidarity gathering to show support for Palestinians, amid escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Kuala Lumpur.
Image via Hasnoor Hussain/ReutersBoth Meta and TikTok designate Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement that governs Gaza, a "dangerous organisation" and ban content praising it
Hamas members attacked communities in southern Israel on 7 October. Israel says some 1,400 people including children were killed, and more than 200 people, some of them infants, were taken hostage in the assault.
The Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry said on Thursday that 7,028 Palestinians had been killed in Israel's retaliatory air strikes, including 2,913 children.
Reuters could not independently verify the tolls.
Since the violence erupted, both social media firms have taken steps to improve moderation and remove or label graphic visuals
Meta said in mid-October that it had taken down or labelled nearly 800,000 pieces of content in Hebrew and Arabic in the days after the 7 October attack.
Similarly, TikTok said this week it had removed more than 775,000 videos and 14,000 livestreams since the attack.
A protester holds a placard painted with the Palestinian flag and written with the slogan 'Free PALESTIN' during a protest outside the US embassy in support of Palestinians in Gaza at Kuala Lumpur on 28 October 28
Image via Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters