Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has been accused of systematically censoring user complaints about antisemitic content on its platforms, according to findings presented to a royal commission in Australia. The allegations emerged during hearings of the Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Certain Matters, which has also examined broader issues of online hate speech and platform accountability.
Systemic Failures in Reporting Mechanisms
Evidence submitted to the commission revealed that Meta's automated moderation systems frequently flagged and removed reports of antisemitic hate speech, rather than the offending content itself. Users who attempted to report posts containing Holocaust denial, Nazi imagery, or anti-Jewish slurs often received automated responses stating that their reports did not violate community standards, or that the reported content had already been reviewed and deemed acceptable. In many cases, the users themselves were temporarily suspended for 'abusing the reporting system.'
According to testimony from Dr. Karen Ellem, a researcher at the University of Sydney who analyzed thousands of user reports, Meta's algorithms incorrectly categorized antisemitic content as 'political discourse' or 'religious commentary,' effectively shielding it from enforcement. 'The platform's systems are not just failing to catch hate speech; they are actively penalizing those who try to flag it,' Dr. Ellem told the commission.
Royal Commission Probe
The royal commission, which was originally established to investigate the casino industry, expanded its scope after evidence emerged linking online hate speech to real-world violence and extremism. Commissioner Linda Dessau noted that 'the digital ecosystem has become a vector for the spread of antisemitism and other forms of hatred, and platforms like Meta bear significant responsibility.'
Meta's legal representative, Sarah Jenkins, acknowledged that the company's moderation systems are imperfect but argued that they process billions of reports daily. 'We invest heavily in AI and human review teams, but no system is foolproof,' Jenkins said. 'We are committed to improving our processes and working with regulators to address these concerns.'
Impact on Australian Jewish Community
The revelations have deeply unsettled Australia's Jewish community, which has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents in recent years. Peter Wertheim, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described Meta's actions as 'a form of digital gaslighting' that silences victims and emboldens perpetrators. 'When you report a swastika on Facebook and are told it's fine, that sends a message that your safety doesn't matter,' Wertheim said.
Data presented to the commission showed a 40% increase in antisemitic content reported on Meta platforms in Australia between 2023 and 2025, yet only 12% of those reports resulted in content removal. In contrast, complaints about other forms of hate speech, such as racial slurs, had a removal rate of 38% over the same period.
Calls for Regulatory Reform
The royal commission's findings have intensified calls for stronger regulation of social media platforms in Australia. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is currently reviewing its powers to compel platforms to disclose moderation practices and enforce compliance. Meanwhile, the government has signaled that it may introduce legislation requiring platforms to maintain independent appeals processes for hate speech reports.
Dr. Ellem recommended that Meta be required to conduct regular audits of its moderation systems and publish transparency reports specifically detailing how antisemitic content is handled. 'The current system is opaque and unaccountable,' she said. 'Without independent oversight, these failures will continue.'
Meta's Response
Meta has pushed back against accusations of deliberate censorship, stating that its policies explicitly prohibit hate speech, including antisemitism. In a written submission to the commission, the company noted that it had removed over 3 million pieces of content globally for violating its hate speech policies in the first quarter of 2026 alone. However, critics argue that the company's enforcement is inconsistent and that its algorithms are poorly equipped to recognize contextual forms of antisemitism.
The royal commission is expected to release its final report in September, which may include recommendations for mandatory codes of conduct for social media platforms operating in Australia.
