Meta under fire for 'delayed' takedown of Zamboanga school shooting videos
Meta is facing criticism for a delayed takedown of a live-streamed school shooting video in Zamboanga City, which remained online for nearly ten minutes after officials were alerted. Cybercrime officials highlighted jurisdictional challenges in compelling platforms to immediately remove content, as this marks the second fatal school shooting in the Philippines in two months.
Why it matters
This incident raises critical questions about social media platforms' responsibility in content moderation, the speed of response to violent live streams, and the broader issue of school violence and gun control.
MANILA, Philippines - Cybercrime officials alerted Meta within five minutes of the live-streamed school shooting in Zamboanga City on Tuesday, but Facebook allowed the video to broadcast for nearly ten more minutes before taking it down.
This is according to Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Executive Director Renato Paraiso, who said at a Senate hearing Thursday, August 20, that neither the CICC nor any government agency can immediately compel a platform to remove content.
"That's the problem. First is the jurisdiction. We don't have jurisdiction over these platforms," Paraiso said at a hearing by the Senate women and children committee on the incident.
A Grade 8 student opened fire at his schoolmates at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University junior high school campus on Monday, killing at least one student, before turning the gun on himself.
Police said he wore a body camera and streamed the attack on Facebook.
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