Rohingya refugees file legal petition against Meta, alleging inaction on hateful content

Two Rohingya refugees, Mohammad Hamim and Kawsar Mohammed, have approached the Delhi High Court, seeking legal action against social media giant Meta. The petitioners, who fled persecution in Myanmar and arrived in India in 2018 and 2022, allege that Meta’s algorithms promote hate speech and violence against the Rohingya community, posing a threat to their lives.

They argue that as the 2024 general elections approach, there is a heightened risk of misinformation leading to violence against the Rohingya community. According to them, Facebook’s inaction against hate-promoting users violates the Rohingyas’ right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution and breaches Section 79(3) of the Information Technology Act.

The petition calls for suspending accounts spreading hate and demands transparency in content moderation policies, detailing the removal and appeal processes and specific numbers. The case is set to be heard later this month.

Why does it matter?

Content about Rohingya refugees on social media platforms is causing issues not only in India but also in the Aceh region of Indonesia. Previously known for its welcoming stance, Aceh has seen a significant rise in resistance fueled by misinformation campaigns portraying Rohingya as burdensome and dangerous. A December incident, where a mob expelled refugee families, including children, from a shelter, was linked to a coordinated online campaign of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech, as reported by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Social media platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and X, have become channels for spreading false information and inflammatory language, further contributing to the negative perceptions of Rohingya.