Attorney General Concerns Over Meta’s Response to Israel Terror Attacks

On October 7, 2023, at least a dozen Republican state attorneys general from various U.S. states sent a letter to Meta CEO Jennifer Newstead. They are seeking clarification on the company’s actions following the terrorist attack in Israel that occurred on that same date two years prior.

The letter, sent shortly after the anniversary of the attack, voiced serious concerns about allegations surrounding Meta’s handling of the situation. Attorneys general are asking Newstead to provide Meta’s updated policies regarding violence and incitement, along with any steps taken to prevent unlawful content from appearing on its site.

Additionally, they want details on remedial measures taken by Meta post-attack, including any initiatives that have been implemented to bolster safety and security against violence-related content.

Meta’s Policy Changes and Actions

The attorneys general who signed the letter hail from multiple states, including South Carolina, Iowa, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, and Texas. They are pressing for a response by November 10, 2025.

Meta’s existing policy, which has undergone several changes since the attack, takes a hard stance against violence by defining it broadly as any expression of intent to harm based on various statements or actions. They emphasize the removal of threats and ensure protection against depictions of violent acts on their platforms.

A spokesperson for Meta announced that they have banned Hamas from their platform and have initiated a dedicated team to monitor and remove any content that supports or celebrates terrorism. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, they reported marking over 795,000 pieces of content as violations.

Ongoing Legal Issues

This correspondence arrives on the heels of a significant lawsuit filed by the families of the October 7 victims against Meta. They are claiming that the platform enabled the distribution of graphic images and videos from the attack, which is alleged to have exacerbated the horrors faced by those affected.

The lawsuit details horrifying instances, including accusations from one plaintiff, who discovered a video documenting his grandmother’s murder on Facebook while attempting to reach her during the attack. This highlights concerns over the platform’s content moderation and prevention measures.

The Broad Implications

The letter and ongoing lawsuit raise important questions about how social media platforms handle content related to violence and terrorism and their responsibilities in safeguarding users from real-world harm.

The plaintiffs assert that Meta’s negligence has transformed its platforms into tools that facilitate acts of terror, complicating the relationship between social media and safety in increasingly tumultuous global contexts.