Meta has acknowledged that its recent censorship of Linux-related content and groups on Facebook was a mistake that has now been corrected.
The issue came to light when popular Linux resource site DistroWatch found its content blocked on the social media platform, with posts being flagged for violating Facebook's Community Standards.
"This enforcement was in error and has since been addressed. Discussions of Linux are allowed on our services," a Meta representative told PCMag in a brief statement addressing the situation.
The censorship began around January 19th when DistroWatch first noticed its content was being restricted and filed an appeal. Meta's admission of the error came on January 28th after growing concerns from the Linux and open source communities.
While Meta claims the issue has been resolved, DistroWatch reports that some limitations appear to persist. Recent checks show mixed results - with some posts still being blocked while others are successfully appearing on the platform.
The exact cause of the improper Linux content restrictions remains unclear. Some speculate it may be related to Facebook's ongoing transition to a community-based content moderation system similar to X's Community Notes feature. This shift away from professional fact-checkers could have inadvertently caught legitimate Linux discussions in its filters.
The incident highlights the challenges large social platforms face in content moderation, especially during system changes. While Meta has admitted the error, many in the Linux community note that a public apology to affected groups would have been appropriate given the scope of the mistaken censorship.