Oversight Board Condemns Meta for Failing to Combat Deepfakes
amsterdam, vrijdag, 6 juni 2025.
The independent Oversight Board of Meta criticises the company for its weak action against deepfakes and fraud. An AI-generated video of Ronaldo promoting an online game was not removed despite numerous reports. The Board points out that Meta does too little to remove illegitimate content, out of fear of removing legitimate messages from celebrities. This results in many deepfakes and fraudulent practices continuing to circulate on the platform.
Oversight Board Condemns Meta for Failing to Combat Deepfakes
The independent Oversight Board of Meta criticises the company for its weak action against deepfakes and fraud. An AI-generated video of Ronaldo promoting an online game was not removed despite numerous reports. The Board points out that Meta does too little to remove illegitimate content, out of fear of removing legitimate messages from celebrities. This results in many deepfakes and fraudulent practices continuing to circulate on the platform [1][2][3].
Severe Criticism of Moderation Policy
The Oversight Board emphasises that the content moderators of Facebook and Instagram are unable to remove deepfakes of celebrities, even when these are used for fraud and deception. Specifically, the ‘scale moderators’, who are often low-paid workers in poor countries, have no authority to remove content related to celebrities. This responsibility is reserved for specialised teams at Meta, leading to inconsistency and rule bending [1][2][3].
Example: Deepfake of Ronaldo
A concrete example of this is a deepfake of former footballer Ronaldo Nazário, promoting an online game called Plinko. The video was viewed and reported as fraud more than 600,000 times but remained online. Only after the Oversight Board intervened was the post removed. The Board states that Meta’s policies and moderation procedures fall short in this regard [1][2][3][4].
Implications for Media Literacy and Democracy
The increasing spread of deepfakes has serious implications for media literacy and democracy. Deepfakes can be used to manipulate people, influence political campaigns, and perpetrate financial fraud. Education and awareness campaigns are crucial to help users distinguish between real and fake content [5][6][7].
Practical Tips for Readers to Identify Fake News
To identify fake news and deepfakes, readers can apply the following practical tips:
- Check the sources: Ensure that news comes from reliable and established media.
- Look for multiple confirmations: If a story appears only on one platform, it may be a smokescreen.
- Pay attention to details: Spelling, grammar errors, and missing information can be signs of fake news.
- Use fact-checking tools: Websites such as Snopes and FactCheck.org can help verify information.
- Be critical: Ask yourself if the story makes sense and if it uses emotionally charged language to provoke a reaction [5][6][7].