FB post removal row: Meta cites technical error as reason amid Opposition attacks on Kerala CM

Thiruvananthapuram: Meta has clarified that Facebook posts by news media outlets on reports linking the MDMA case accused with the Kerala Chief Minister were removed because of a technical error, and not at anyone’s direction.

The company said the removals were linked to an update to its artificial intelligence (AI) software. Meta also informed the Kerala Police Cyber Operations Wing that similar content had been removed in several states across the country, and not just in Kerala.

Meta has since fixed the technical issue and confirmed that all the removed posts have been restored.

The removal of the posts had triggered criticism and complaints against the Chief Minister and the state government. Following the controversy, the Kerala Police Cyber Operations Wing sought an explanation from Meta.

The Chief Minister’s Office and the police cyber division had earlier maintained that they had no role in the removals.

The police also clarified that it does not ask Meta to remove posts simply because they contain political criticism. Requests are made in cases involving personally abusive or obscene content, officials said.

According to the police, the posts at the centre of the current controversy did not fall into either category.

The Opposition had alleged that the posts were removed at the direction of the Chief Minister.

Satheesan denies influence over Meta

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan had also responded to the controversy, saying he was ready to write to Meta if necessary.

Satheesan said he had no influence over Meta to get news reports removed. He said the only request he had made to the company so far was to make the official Instagram page of his office, ‘CMO Kerala’, available.

According to Satheesan, that request was submitted two months ago, but Meta has yet to resolve the issue.

He questioned whether it would be believable to claim that Meta was removing posts because of his intervention.

Satheesan also pointed out that posts praising him had been removed by Meta.

He cited a speech by the Archbishop of Thiruvananthapuram praising his intervention in the fishermen’s sector. The speech was among the content that he said had been removed.

A post by the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) praising the Chief Minister was also removed, according to Satheesan.