Impact Assessment for Sri Lanka

In 2018, Meta commissioned Article One Advisors to conduct an independent HRIA on the role of our services in Sri Lanka.

Meta took steps to address challenges to platform-level grievance mechanisms, conduct ongoing due diligence, increase transparency and use leverage to address root cause challenges.

The HRIA identified a range of positive impacts, including the role of the platform in allowing human rights defenders, journalists and disadvantaged groups to exercise their freedom of expression, association and political participation rights; contributions to economic and cultural rights; and role in improving emergency response. Article One also identified a number of salient risks and adverse impacts, including those associated with hate speech and rumors targeting religious minorities; bullying and harassment of human rights defenders and LGBTQ+ individuals; gender-based attacks; and child sexual exploitation.

In response to the HRIA’s 28 recommendations, Meta took steps to improve corporate-level accountability, evolve our Community Standards, invest in changes to platform architecture, address challenges to platform-level grievance mechanisms, conduct ongoing due diligence, increase transparency and use leverage to address root cause challenges.

Further Information