Meta Oversight Board Retains Manipulated Biden Video, Says Company's Rule 'Incoherent'

Meta's Oversight board has ruled that the manipulated video of US President Joe Biden can remain on the platform, citing a loophole in the company's "incoherent" policies.

Meta's current manipulated media policy only covers videos altered using AI technology like deepfakes, a rule that "fails to clearly specify the harms it is seeking to prevent", the board said.

The board urged Meta, whose platform is used by 68% of adult Americans, to "reconsider this policy quickly, given the number of elections in 2024."

Manipulated Biden Videos Gone Viral Amid Election Campaigns

The video in question refers to the seven-second heavily edited footage that went viral in October last year, showing Biden repeatedly touching his then 18-year-old granddaughter, Natalie.

The original footage only shows the president placing an "I Voted" sticker on his grandchild during the midterm elections in 2022.

A representative from Biden's campaign team called Meta's policy as "nonsensical and dangerous," CNN reported. Biden is currently running for his second term as president.

Many presidential candidates' campaigns, including former President Donald Trump, have been steeped with "fake news" and deepfakes as the 2024 Elections come closer.

In response, Meta said the company is reviewing the board's recommendations and will respond publicly within 60 days.

More Scrutiny on Meta's 'Fake News' Policies

The recent controversies surrounding Biden only further highlighted concerns about its platform policies regarding election disinformation.

Meta came under fire before for similar reasons in 2019 after failing to immediately remove a slowed-down video of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to make her look like she was slurring her speech.

The video went viral as Pelosi was running for a consecutive as House speaker for California District 12.

With the rise of AI-powered disinformation, policymakers and watchdogs have been sounding alarms on social media's efforts to combat election misinformation.