Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has defended its content moderation practices during a hearing before Australia's Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, denying allegations that recent policy changes resulted in a rise in antisemitic content on its platforms. The hearing formed part of the commission's ongoing examination of how major technology companies respond to online hate speech and protect users from harmful content.
Meta's Global Director of Core Policy, Benjamin Good, appeared before the commission and was questioned about the company's decision to shift from proactive detection of some harmful content to a more reactive moderation model. Critics argued that this approach may have reduced the amount of hate speech removed before it was reported by users, contributing to concerns from Australia's Jewish community.
Good rejected those claims, telling the commission there was no evidence that Meta's policy changes had caused an increase in antisemitism on its platforms. He said the company remains committed to removing content that violates its policies and continues to prohibit antisemitic hate speech. According to Meta, the moderation changes were introduced to reduce incorrect removals of legitimate content while improving the accuracy of enforcement decisions.
During questioning, commissioners examined Meta's handling of reports involving antisemitic posts and asked why some offensive material had remained online despite being reported multiple times. The commission also explored whether Meta possesses sufficient artificial intelligence and moderation tools to identify harmful content before it spreads widely. Good acknowledged the company has advanced AI capabilities but said balancing user safety with freedom of expression remains a complex challenge.
The hearing follows earlier evidence presented to the commission by researchers, online safety experts and community organisations, who argued that extremist groups increasingly use coded language, memes and symbols to avoid automated moderation systems. Witnesses have called for stronger responsibilities on digital platforms to detect and remove harmful content more effectively while protecting vulnerable communities from online abuse.
Australia's Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion was established following the 2025 Bondi terrorist attack and is examining the causes of antisemitism, online radicalisation and ways to strengthen social cohesion. As part of its work, the commission has been hearing evidence from government agencies, technology companies, researchers and community representatives about the role digital platforms play in spreading or limiting hate speech.
Meta told the commission it continues investing in artificial intelligence, human reviewers and reporting systems designed to identify policy violations more accurately. Company representatives said they remain open to improving moderation processes and cooperating with Australian regulators, while maintaining that enforcement decisions must carefully balance safety, accuracy and freedom of expression.
The commission is expected to continue hearing evidence from major social media companies before delivering its final recommendations later this year. Its findings could influence future Australian laws governing online safety, platform accountability and the responsibilities of technology companies in addressing hate speech and harmful online content.
