How Facebook Censors Copyright News
Jonathan Bailey recounts how Facebook automatically removed his post linking to his own “3 Count” column, despite no infringement. The removal stemmed from the mention of a known piracy-related site name—rendering context irrelevant . Facebook’s automated filters similarly blocked posts referencing TorrentFreak coverage and even a press release by anti‑piracy coalition ACE, leading to account suspension in one case .
The core problem is a blunt keyword filter: any mention of the piracy-related term triggers removal, regardless of context—legal news, condemnation, or factual reporting all get flagged equally . This indiscriminate censorship stifles legitimate discourse about copyright and anti-piracy efforts.
Bailey and TorrentFreak tested the issue by reposting news and press releases; each was removed within minutes. Appeals yielded no response, and repeated violations led to account penalties . The article calls this overly rigid enforcement by Meta’s algorithms not just ineffective but counter‑productive for journalism and public discussion .
