Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has started blocking links to the ICE List website across its platforms. The website, which claims to track and record the activities of US Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in an effort to hold them accountable, had been shared without issue on Meta's platforms for over six months.
The creator of the site, Dominick Skinner, told WIRED that problems with posting links started to arise around Monday night. By Tuesday morning, users were being blocked from sharing links on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, with varying reasons given by the platforms for the blockage.
On Facebook, users received a message stating that their post looked like spam and could not be shared. However, after hours, this message was updated to point to Meta's Community Standards policy. Meanwhile, on Threads, users were informed that links are not allowed in posts.
On Instagram, users who attempted to post a Story with the link received a notice saying that certain activity is restricted to protect the community, but did not provide any further explanation. When asked about the block, a Meta spokesperson pointed to the company's policy prohibiting sharing personally identifiable information of others, claiming that this was the reason for blocking the links.
However, Skinner disputed this claim, pointing out that ICE List has been asking users to share tips about the identities of ICE agents for months without violating any policies. This move has sparked concerns over Meta's role in silencing advocacy and activism on its platforms, particularly when it comes to sensitive issues like immigration enforcement and police brutality.
The blockage of links to the ICE List website has significant implications for those who rely on social media as a tool for activism and organizing. By restricting users' ability to share information about ICE agents, Meta is potentially undermining efforts to hold these agents accountable for their actions, which have been widely criticized by human rights groups and civil liberties organizations.
As the controversy surrounding this move continues, it remains to be seen whether other tech companies will follow suit in blocking links to advocacy websites. One thing is clear: Meta's decision has sent a chilling message about the limits of free speech on its platforms, particularly when it comes to sensitive issues that require collective action and organizing.
The creator of the site, Dominick Skinner, told WIRED that problems with posting links started to arise around Monday night. By Tuesday morning, users were being blocked from sharing links on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, with varying reasons given by the platforms for the blockage.
On Facebook, users received a message stating that their post looked like spam and could not be shared. However, after hours, this message was updated to point to Meta's Community Standards policy. Meanwhile, on Threads, users were informed that links are not allowed in posts.
On Instagram, users who attempted to post a Story with the link received a notice saying that certain activity is restricted to protect the community, but did not provide any further explanation. When asked about the block, a Meta spokesperson pointed to the company's policy prohibiting sharing personally identifiable information of others, claiming that this was the reason for blocking the links.
However, Skinner disputed this claim, pointing out that ICE List has been asking users to share tips about the identities of ICE agents for months without violating any policies. This move has sparked concerns over Meta's role in silencing advocacy and activism on its platforms, particularly when it comes to sensitive issues like immigration enforcement and police brutality.
The blockage of links to the ICE List website has significant implications for those who rely on social media as a tool for activism and organizing. By restricting users' ability to share information about ICE agents, Meta is potentially undermining efforts to hold these agents accountable for their actions, which have been widely criticized by human rights groups and civil liberties organizations.
As the controversy surrounding this move continues, it remains to be seen whether other tech companies will follow suit in blocking links to advocacy websites. One thing is clear: Meta's decision has sent a chilling message about the limits of free speech on its platforms, particularly when it comes to sensitive issues that require collective action and organizing.
Meta's move to block links to ICE List website is like trying to hold back a tide - eventually, it'll just get bigger and come crashing down. The company's justification for blocking the links seems fishy, doesn't it? 
They're saying it's about protecting the community, but what if that's just code for "we don't want you sharing the truth"? 
The real victims here are the people who rely on social media to speak out against injustice - by silencing them, Meta is essentially letting the powerful do the powerful's thing without consequences. 
We need to be careful not to let companies like Meta become gatekeepers of what's acceptable to share. If we don't stand up for free speech now, when will we? 
. like, what's next? blocking links to news outlets or human rights orgs? 
Meta needs to explain why they're selectively silencing certain groups of users & where the line between "prohibited" content & free speech is getting blurred... 
it's not about sharing personally identifiable info, it's about holding people in power accountable for their actions 
!
meta needs to clarify what's really going on here, not just point to their community standards policy 
. it feels like they're trying to silence people who are speaking out against injustice, which is not cool 
. dominick skinner's point about ice list not sharing personal info is valid, so i'm not buying the 'protection' excuse 
. what's next? blocking links to whistleblower websites or news sites that expose corporate malfeasance? that'd be a major overreach 
! dominick skinner is right, sharing tips about ice agents isnt spam lol. this move is so suspicious... like what else are they hiding? 
i remember when facebook first banned those protest groups, it was all about "safety" and "community standards"... but really they were just trying to shut down dissenting voices. 
now its happening again with the ice list website... meta needs to explain themselves! 
this is such a slippery slope for free speech on social media... what's next? will they block links to police brutality vids or news articles about immigration reform? 
if it's getting too spicy 
gotta find that balance 
but for now it's all about keeping the community safe 
. And yeah, the whole "sharing personally identifiable info" thing doesn't add up - if they're that concerned about protecting users, why not implement more robust reporting tools instead of just blocking links? 
.
Either way, we should be keeping an eye on this and making sure our social media giants aren't becoming de facto gatekeepers of info 
.
it's all about control and manipulating the narrative to suit their interests 
either way, this move is a huge deal for free speech and activism online 
social media is supposed to be a space where we can share info & connect with each other, but i guess some ppl think they have more power than that 
and what the impact will be on people trying to hold ICE accountable 
This is super concerning for me. Like I get it, meta wants to keep their community standards in check but at what cost? They're basically becoming a tool for the powers that be to silence marginalized voices & activists who are trying to bring about change.
they're basically silencing people who are trying to hold ICE agents accountable for their actions! this move is like super concerning and it's gonna be a big problem for activists and organizers who rely on social media to spread info and mobilize people. what's up with them saying that sharing someone's identity is against policy when it's already been happening without any issues?