Show-Me State Times

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has joined a coalition of states calling on Meta Platforms, Inc. to address the spread of violent terrorist content on Facebook and Instagram. This action follows a lawsuit by victims of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel, which alleges that Meta enabled the broadcast and distribution of graphic violence during those events.

Attorney General Hanaway stated that the problem is not limited to one incident but reflects a broader concern about how quickly violent material can circulate online. She noted that such content can retraumatize victims, desensitize viewers, radicalize individuals, and undermine public trust in social media platforms. Hanaway warned that allowing terror-related content to proliferate puts communities at risk.

The lawsuit claims Meta’s platforms were used to share live and recorded footage of murders, abductions, and other atrocities during the attacks in Israel. In one instance described in the complaint, terrorists allegedly posted video evidence of a victim’s murder directly onto her Facebook profile.

“The spread of violent content online doesn’t stop at national borders; it reaches into our homes, our schools, and our communities,” said Attorney General Hanaway. “That kind of digital violence is unacceptable. When social media companies fail to prevent the glorification and spread of terrorism, they put every community at risk.”

The coalition’s letter asks Meta for its latest policies regarding depictions of violence and terrorism; details about efforts to remove such content; and information on steps taken following the victims’ lawsuit.

“Violence online fuels violence offline,” Attorney General Hanaway said. “Social media companies cannot hide behind algorithms or vague policies while their platforms are weaponized to glorify terror. Whether it’s in Israel, Missouri, or anywhere else, the same principle applies: Big Tech must do its part to protect the public.”

Meta’s Transparency Center states it aims to shield users from images depicting kidnappings or severe violence. However, allegations from the October 7 lawsuit suggest these standards may not have been met.

“Our Office will continue to stand with victims, demand accountability, and ensure that technology serves people, not propaganda,” concluded Attorney General Hanaway. “No corporation should profit from the spread of hate or human suffering.”

A copy of the multistate letter urging Meta Platforms can be found here.