Meta Platforms Face Scrutiny Over Online Abuse of Environmental Activists

Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram—all owned by Meta—have been identified as primary enablers of online harassment against environmental activists. A Global Witness survey reveals over 90% of respondents experienced digital abuse, with Facebook cited as the most toxic platform. The findings underscore a critical gap in content moderation, with real-world safety implications for defenders.

Women activists face compounded risks, often targeted through gender-specific threats. Nearly three-quarters of participants reported offline consequences stemming from online harassment, including doxxing and disinformation campaigns. Meta's current policies appear insufficient to curb the escalating threats.

The report intensifies pressure on social media giants to allocate greater resources toward protecting vulnerable users. As digital platforms become battlegrounds for environmental advocacy, systemic failures in safeguarding mechanisms risk silencing critical voices.