Meta has announced that it has corrected an error causing some Instagram users to encounter violent and graphic content in their Reels feeds. The company apologized to users and stated that necessary adjustments will be made to the content recommendation system.

In recent days, many Instagram users have complained on social media about encountering recommended content in their feeds that includes violence and sexual images.

Despite setting the “Sensitive Content Control” to the highest level, users have claimed that such content is being shown, leading to criticism of the platform’s content moderation system. A Meta spokesperson told CNBC, “We are correcting an error that has caused some users to see content that should not be recommended in their Instagram Reels feeds. We apologize for the situation.” According to Meta’s policies, the platform removes violent and graphic content to protect users from disturbing images. Banned content includes images of dismemberment, visible internal organs, burnt bodies, and sadistic expressions towards humans or animals. However, Meta mentions that it allows some graphic content to raise awareness on important issues such as human rights violations, armed conflicts, or terrorist acts. It is stated that such content can be presented with additional restrictions like warning labels.

Despite Meta’s announcement of fixing the error, concerns regarding the content recommendation algorithms persist among users.