Top Republican demands answers from Zuckerberg, accuses Meta of ‘shadow blocking’ military content

INTERMEDIATE: A senior Republican senator will accuse Meta – Facebook’s parent company – of “shadow blocking” and destabilizing the social network in a letter on Tuesday demanding answers from CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, the top Republican on the Small Business Committee, will, in part, cite a 2022 Washington Post report about social media companies’ “fixing” of certain Facebook and Instagram content.

The report discussed Meta’s response to “problematic content,” which an official at the time called “borderline” and said it should have reduced access because of its tendency to go viral.

In a letter to Zuckerberg’s office in San Mateo County, California, Ernst says such content includes military and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Virginia.

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“Your platform, among other things, offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect the US military with the younger generations. That is why I am concerned about the continued discrediting of Meta and the removal of posts from the US Armed Services,” Ernst wrote in a letter obtained exclusively by Fox News Digital.

“Protecting our nation depends entirely on the voluntary enlistment of brave women and men who are willing to put their lives on the line so that every American can speak their minds freely.”

Commenting on Fox News Digital, Ernst said that the freedom of the American people is only possible through the volunteer armed services, in which he previously served.

“I’m concerned that Meta’s algorithms are hindering our investment in connecting and recruiting the next generation of military personnel,” he added.

“The service and sacrifice of the brave men and women in uniform should be celebrated, not limited.”

In his letter, Ernst accused Meta of periodically revising its breach policies without “reasonable justification” and cited reports to Congress showing increased restrictions on military-related content.

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“I am concerned that Meta’s algorithms are hindering our investment in connecting and recruiting the next generation of military personnel,” wrote Sen. John Ernst. (Drew Anger/Getty Images)

Embedding a photo of an Instagram breach warning in a certain post, Ernst wrote several such reports and the loss of “access” to the Internet.

A six-hour post moratorium on Feb. 29 resulted in a loss of 2,500 impressions and 500 engagements, while the same situation on March 3 reduced the reach of the post by 5,000 impressions and 1,100 engagements.

Ten posts on GoArmy’s social media account were flagged as violating guidelines over a three-day period in September, Ernst said, and the account was briefly placed on “non-recommended” status twice.

The senator said the Army’s public affairs office reported the defacement of several posts, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a photo of a military helicopter.

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Facebook (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson via Fox News Digital)

In turn, Ernst asked Zuckerberg to set guidelines for mediating military-related content and how it is communicated to account holders.

He also asked for an explanation for the apparent suppression of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier post, and the steps taken so far to prevent future shadow bans that shouldn’t happen.

The attorney also sought cost estimates for official Pentagon-authorized advertisements that were suppressed.