Meta has begun restricting Linux-related content on Facebook. The social media platform’s moderation system has started blocking posts that mention various topics associated with the Linux operating system, as well as websites and groups dedicated to the subject.
The first report of this unexpected censorship came from DistroWatch, a major news and review portal focused on open-source operating systems. According to the site’s editorial team, Facebook’s moderation system has classified Linux as malicious software, marking related groups as a “cybersecurity threat.”
The blocking of Linux-related content began on January 19, 2024. Users have reported that not only are they unable to share links to DistroWatch, but some have also faced account suspensions after posting about Linux.
DistroWatch representatives attempted to challenge the ban, but Facebook moderators upheld the decision, confirming that Linux-related discussions would remain flagged under cybersecurity content filters. Following the appeal, a DistroWatch employee’s account was also suspended.
The situation is particularly ironic, given that a significant portion of Facebook’s infrastructure operates on Linux. Furthermore, Meta continues to actively recruit developers specializing in Linux-based systems.
The enforcement of these restrictions has raised concerns among the open-source community, sparking debates over the transparency and reliability of Facebook’s moderation algorithms and their impact on technical discourse and free expression.
