Meta platforms found exposed to human rights risks in India due to 3rd party action

Meta platforms, which include Facebook and WhatsApp, were found exposed to human right risks such as “restrictions of freedom of expression and information” and “hatred that incites hostility” due to action of third parties, the first human rights report of the social media giant has said.

The report is based on an independent human rights impact assessment (HRIA) commissioned in 2019 by Meta on potential human rights risks in India and other countries related to its platforms.

The project was undertaken by Foley Hoag LLP.

“The HRIA noted the potential for Meta’s platforms to be connected to salient human rights risks caused by third parties, including: restrictions of freedom of expression and information; third party advocacy of hatred that incites hostility,