Instagram, one of the most popular social media platforms, has come under fire for ignoring a significant number of abusive comments targeting American female politicians. According to a new report by the British non-profit Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), out of 1,000 abusive comments flagged to the app, 926 were left untouched on the accounts of 10 politicians, including Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. These comments included sexist and racist remarks such as „Make rape legal,“ „death to her and her supporters,“ and „we don’t want Blacks around us no matter who they are.“
Instagram’s community guidelines state that the app removes content containing credible threats or hate speech, as well as content that targets private individuals to degrade or shame them. However, CCDH CEO Imran Ahmed has criticized Instagram for not enforcing these guidelines effectively. He believes that social media platforms have no incentive to clean up hate speech and abuse because such content generates engagement by sparking arguments online, which in turn drives ad revenue. Ahmed argues that cleaning up comment sections requires resources and money, creating a double disincentive for platforms to take action.
The report by CCDH makes three key recommendations. Firstly, it calls for Instagram to transparently enforce its community guidelines against gender-based abuse and violent threats. Secondly, it suggests that organizations supporting women running for office provide assistance to those facing harassment. Lastly, it urges lawmakers to hold social media companies accountable for failing to address abuse effectively.
Instagram’s guidelines indicate that rules may be more relaxed when it comes to politicians, celebrities, and other public figures, allowing for stronger conversations around individuals with a large public audience. Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram, declined an interview but stated that it would review the examples highlighted in the report. The company mentioned that it uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to proactively remove hate speech before it’s reported and provides users with tools to filter out offensive comments on their accounts.
The issue of hateful comments and harassment extends beyond the internet, with real-world impacts on politicians. A survey by the Brennan Center for Justice found that 43% of U.S. state legislators have experienced threats or abuse, leading 40% to be unwilling to seek reelection or higher office due to such harassment. Additionally, about one in five state officials and twice as many local officials reported that harassment made them less willing to work on controversial policies like gun regulation or reproductive rights.
Despite the recent focus on other social media platforms, Imran Ahmed asserts that Meta Platforms, which owns Instagram and Facebook, remains a significant player in spreading disinformation and hate. He criticizes the company for denying the existence of problems, deflecting blame, and delaying action while investing in PR and lobbying efforts to avoid accountability for the harm caused.
In conclusion, the report by CCDH sheds light on the failure of social media platforms to protect women and public officials from online abuse. The findings highlight the urgent need for platforms like Instagram to take stronger action against hate speech and harassment, especially when it targets marginalized groups. As online harassment continues to deter women from participating in politics, it is crucial for lawmakers, organizations, and social media companies to work together to create a safer and more inclusive online environment.