Meta requests public feedback on Threads post criticizing Japan’s Prime Minister

The oversight board of Meta Platforms, a U.S. information technology giant, is currently seeking public opinions on a controversial post criticizing Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on its Threads platform. The post, which was initially deleted for violent expressions, was later restored by Meta after determining that it contained rhetorical language and the deletion was a mistake.

This marks the first time the board will be examining a case related to Threads, and they are now asking for feedback on how to handle political posts and incorporate public views into their proposals to the company. While Meta does not actively promote political content on Threads, the board is interested in understanding how their policy on political content impacts access to information and political speech.

The post in question criticized Kishida over a money scandal within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, where lawmakers failed to disclose revenues from political fundraising parties. The post, which included phrases like “drop dead” and accused Kishida of tax evasion, was deleted by a Meta human reviewer for violating rules against violence and incitement.

The user who posted the controversial reply filed a complaint with the oversight board, arguing that their freedom of speech was being infringed upon. After reviewing the case, the board concluded that Meta’s decision to delete the post was incorrect.

As the board continues to gather public opinions on this matter, it remains to be seen how Meta will navigate the complex intersection of political speech, freedom of expression, and community guidelines on its platform.