JAKARTA - Instagram has reportedly made changes to the algorithm on its social media platform. This finding came to light after a group of employees complained that pro-Palestinian content could not be viewed by users during the conflict in Gaza.
This change is mainly related to the content priority setting algorithm on Instagram. According to sources known to the Financial Times, Instagram has changed how they prioritize Instagram Stories that are shown on users' timelines.
Typically, these social media prioritize original content over content re-shared on Stories. With this algorithm change, both types of content will be shared equally.
One example is accidentally deleting content about the Al-Aqsa mosque. However, employees do not believe the censorship was intentional.
"This large-scale moderation is often biased against marginalized groups," said one Instagram employee as quoted by The Verge, Monday, May 31.
Seeing the statement, an Instagram spokesperson said the priority of content that Instagram gives to users is based on the content habits that users like. Thus, prompting people to conclude the company is trying to suppress a certain number of views or topics from their users.
"We want to be clear, that's not what we mean. This applies to any post reshared on Stories, about anything," said an Instagram spokesperson.
This algorithm change is not just a response to concerns about pro-Palestinian content. However, to overcome the problem of re-posting content that is considered difficult to reach by other users.
The social media believes that users still prefer to view original Stories, so they will be looking for ways to highlight original content in Stories through new features.
It is known that Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have been heavily criticized for censoring content around the conflict between Israel and Palestine in recent weeks.
Earlier this month Twitter restricted the account of a Palestinian writer, which it later called a mistake. And Instagram finally apologized after multiple accounts were unable to post Palestinian-related content for several hours on May 6.
Then, shortly the head of Instagram Adam Mosseti tweeted explaining it was because there was a bug in their system.
Instagram says it has repeatedly heard users say they are more interested in real stories from close friends than seeing people re-share someone else's posts.
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