Facebook filters content on ‘Azad Kashmir’, defaming deities and the tricolour on any clothing below the waist as 'locally illegal content' from India, according to an Indian Express report.
The report finds that there are 20 locally illegal markers that Facebook has put for content from India, citing internal documents.
The report says that Facebook's 15,000 content reviewers scan posts that are either reported as inappropriate or are chosen by Facebook's algorithm to decide whether it stays on the site or not. For India, content is marked as 'locally illegal' to flag for further review.
Although Facebook says that it does not proactively block 'locally illegal content’ for viewers in specific countries, the India-specific guidelines are directive of how its moderators flag content for review.
Facebook has also said that its global policy doesn't consider speech criticising a religion or belief as hate speech, even in India. However, the Indian Express report gives a clearer picture on how the company tracks content in India.
As per the document sourced by TIE, it defines ‘locally illegal’ content as “Content that doesn’t violate Facebook policy”, “Respecting local laws when the government actively pursues enforcement”, and “Facebook risks getting blocked in a country, or it’s a legal risk”.
Under operational guidelines, there are examples for moderators – maps of Kashmir, Aksai Chin, posts comparing deities divisively or depicting Muhammad and images replacing the wheel on the Tricolour with Gandhi. Apart from that, posts that are supportive of a separate Kashmir, Pakistan's claim on Kashmir, China’s claim on Aksai Chin, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, or Tripura, are also to be flagged.
The terms that the document asks moderators to look for: “Azad Kashmir, Free Kashmir, Kashmir belongs to Pakistan… Look for maps invading territories, people protesting, etc”.
‘Humour is not allowed’ is a common phrase under the ‘religious extremism’ section, according to Indian Express.
“Legal is more risk-averse when it comes to litigation over religious imagery… If there is a violating image but the caption or context clearly condemns this defamation, such an image may still be considered offensive and liable to be GEO IP Blocked.”Facebook Guidelines, as quoted by The Indian Express
Under religion, 'defamation of deities’, 'negative remarks of mocking images about religious gods and prophets', 'comparing deities and calling for new states based on religious community' are some of the things moderators are asked to look out for.
Under the national symbol – burning, stamping and writing on the flag is something considered 'locally illegal'.
Facebook did not respond to questions sent by Indian Express about these India-specific guidelines. It also did not respond to questions on how many countries have these locally-tailored guidelines.
(With inputs from The Indian Express.)
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