Meta Launches Major Campaign to Combat Hate Speech and Misinformation in South Africa
Meta Platforms has launched a significant campaign in South Africa to combat hate speech and misinformation ahead of the May elections. The company is taking robust measures to tackle the challenges posed by evolving technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfakes, on its platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. Meta is utilising AI to counter the spread of misinformation and is exploring the use of large language models for this purpose. The company is also collaborating with other social media platforms and content production owners to detect AI-generated content. Meta's moderators work tirelessly to remove harmful content and downrank or label misinformation to educate users. The campaign will be featured on Meta's platforms and broadcasted on local and national radio stations. Meta has faced criticism in the past for enabling the proliferation of misinformation in pursuit of increased traffic. However, the company is now taking proactive measures to address these concerns and ensure a safer online environment. Meta's efforts to combat misinformation and hate speech in South Africa are commendable. The company's collaboration with the Electoral Commission (IEC) and other platforms demonstrates a commitment to responsible content moderation. Despite past controversies, such as the Cambridge Analytica data scandal in 2019, Meta is working to rebuild trust and protect users from harmful content.
