- Home
- Technology
- News
Facebook owner Meta briefly blocks hashtags tied to Bucha killings
Killings in Bucha, outside Kyiv, have drawn pledges of further sanctions against Moscow from the West
![GNN Web Desk](/_next/image?url=%2Fimages%2Fplaceholder-maroon.jpg&w=256&q=75)
![Facebook owner Meta briefly blocks hashtags tied to Bucha killings](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgnnhd.tv%3A8000%2Fmedia%2F21316%2Fphoto.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Facebook owner Meta Platforms (FB.O) briefly restricted hashtags related to civilian deaths in northern Ukraine, where bodies of people shot at close range were found in a town seized back from Russian forces, a company spokesman confirmed on Monday.
The killings in Bucha, outside Kyiv, have drawn pledges of further sanctions against Moscow from the West.
Meta spokesman Andy Stone said automated systems that scan for violent imagery on Facebook and Instagram, which the company also owns, were responsible for blocking hashtags including #bucha and #buchamassacre.
"This happened automatically because of the graphic content people posted using these hashtags. When we were made aware of the issue yesterday, we acted quickly to unblock the hashtags," he wrote on Twitter.
Facebook and Instagram permit the posting of graphic and violent content when it is shared to raise awareness of possible human rights abuses, but deletes the content if it is extremely explicit or celebrates suffering.
The social media company also adds warning labels to some graphic posts that users must click through before they can see the images.
Human rights groups have critized Meta's approach to removing violent content during conflicts, saying its practice of purging the data from its servers after 90 days results in the deletion of critical evidence of war crimes.
Stone said Meta was "exploring ways to preserve this type and other types of content when we remove it," specifically in relation to the war in Ukraine.
Russia has denied any accusations related to the murder of civilians.
SOURCE: REUTERS
![Rizwan, Agha power Pakistan to six-wicket win over South Africa](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgnnhd.tv%3A8000%2Fmedia%2F129540%2Fpakvsa-klaasens-87-run-blitz-propels-south-africa-to-352-against-pakistan-pakobserver-664365-900x480.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Rizwan, Agha power Pakistan to six-wicket win over South Africa
- an hour ago
Motorway police officers assault truck driver, video surfaces online
- 5 hours ago
![Fazlur Rehman calls for resignation of chief election commissioner](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgnnhd.tv%3A8000%2Fmedia%2F129531%2F1079422-fazl-1459914655.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Fazlur Rehman calls for resignation of chief election commissioner
- 4 hours ago
![Trump, Putin's productive call marks start of Ukraine peace negotiations](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgnnhd.tv%3A8000%2Fmedia%2F129542%2F2024-11-12-putin-trump-meeting-1265720825.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Trump, Putin's productive call marks start of Ukraine peace negotiations
- an hour ago
![Imran Khan writes third open letter to army chief](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgnnhd.tv%3A8000%2Fmedia%2F129528%2FImran-Khans-Letter-to-Army-Chief.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Imran Khan writes third open letter to army chief
- 4 hours ago
![Gold price drops by Rs1,600 after reaching record high](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgnnhd.tv%3A8000%2Fmedia%2F129522%2FIMG191191083030_7209540_Gold_updates.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Gold price drops by Rs1,600 after reaching record high
- 5 hours ago
![Sources: Canelo-Paul in works; Crawford bout off](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgnnhd.tv%3A8000%2Fmedia%2F129517%2Fr1448613_1296x729_16-9.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Sources: Canelo-Paul in works; Crawford bout off
- 7 hours ago
![Former SC judge Azmat Saeed Sheikh passes away in Lahore](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgnnhd.tv%3A8000%2Fmedia%2F129539%2F5c6d0eaf2fff9.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Former SC judge Azmat Saeed Sheikh passes away in Lahore
- 2 hours ago
Army chief highlights role of youth in shaping Pakistan's future
- 4 hours ago
![Govt announces electricity price cut of up to Rs1.23 per unit](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgnnhd.tv%3A8000%2Fmedia%2F129529%2F1489284-powerministrynepra-1503497365.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Govt announces electricity price cut of up to Rs1.23 per unit
- 4 hours ago
YouTube to launch multiple AI features for creators in 2025
- 4 hours ago
New Syrian government to be established on March 1, foreign minister Says
- 3 hours ago