https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/27/instagram-reels-violent-videos

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an instagram app icon on a phone
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Meta's moderation policies have come under scrutiny after it decided
last month to scrap its US factchecking on Facebook, Instagram and
Threads. Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images
View image in fullscreen
Meta's moderation policies have come under scrutiny after it decided
last month to scrap its US factchecking on Facebook, Instagram and
Threads. Photograph: NurPhoto/Getty Images
Meta

Instagram Reels flooded with violent videos before Meta says it fixed
error

Users complained of 'not safe for work' videos in feeds despite some
having enabled setting to filter such content


Reuters

Thu 27 Feb 2025 14.48 ESTLast modified on Thu 27 Feb 2025 16.39 EST
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Meta Platforms said on Thursday it had resolved an error that flooded
the personal Reels feeds of Instagram users with violent and graphic
videos worldwide.

It was not immediately clear how many people were affected by the
glitch. Meta's comments followed a wave of complaints on social media
about violent and "not safe for work" content in Reels feeds, despite
some users having enabled the "sensitive content control" setting
meant to filter such material.

"We have fixed an error that caused some users to see content in
their Instagram Reels feed that should not have been recommended. We
apologize for the mistake," a spokesperson for Meta said. The company
did not disclose the reason behind the error.

 
UK Meta staff 'concerned' over scrapping of factcheckers and DEI
programmes
Read more

Meta's moderation policies have come under scrutiny after it decided
last month to scrap its US factchecking program on Facebook,
Instagram and Threads, three of the world's biggest social media
platforms with more than 3 billion users globally.

Violent and graphic videos are prohibited under Meta's policy and the
company usually removes such content to protect users, barring
exceptions given for videos that raise awareness on topics including
human rights abuse and conflict.

The company has in recent years been leaning more on its automated
moderation tools, a tactic that is expected to accelerate with the
shift away from factchecking in the United States.

Meta has faced criticism for failing to effectively balance content
recommendations and user safety, as seen in incidents such as the
spread of violent content during the Myanmar genocide, Instagram
promoting eating disorder content to teens and misinformation during
the Covid-19 pandemic.

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