Facebook said that it would remove one of Hun Sen’s videos in accordance with a judgement by Meta’s Oversight Board.
After Facebook issued that statement, Prime Minister Hun Sen suggested on Friday that he would limit Facebook access in Cambodia.
In that video on Facebook the Prime Minster threatened political opponents.
The warning came ahead of a July 23 election largely regarded as a sham after authorities refused to register the main rival to Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party.
Facebook’s decision to remove one of Hun Sen’s videos in accordance with a judgement by Meta’s Oversight Board suggests that Hun Sen’s account may be deactivated.
The move is a “turning point”, technology experts say.
Violation Of Facebook Regulation
His speech comprised “unequivocal statements of intent to commit violence” against opposition leaders, according to Meta.
Hun Sen, who had been a frequent Facebook user, declared on Thursday night that he had stopped using the platform and appeared to have deactivated his account.
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Hun Sen told garment workers in Pursat province on Friday that he may block Facebook in Cambodia “for a short period or forever”.
He said to do this at any time to prevent exiled opposition lawmakers from engaging with the country’s residents.
“Don’t be arrogant, you guys are staying overseas, you’re using Facebook for communications, we could block Facebook,” he remarked, addressing his opponents in exile.
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He then urged Cambodians to use alternative social media services, such as Telegram, TikTok, Line, Viber, and Meta-owned WhatsApp, where content is more difficult to monitor.
Hun Sen also accused Facebook of turning a blind eye to “insulting” remarks made by opponents against his wife.
A Turning Point
Human Rights Watch (HRW) claimed on Thursday that the incident was a “long overdue face-off between Big Tech and a dictator over human rights issues.”
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Matthew Warren Statement
According to Matthew Warren of the RMIT University Centre for Cyber Security Research in Melbourne, Meta is under increasing pressure to hold politicians accountable for their online misbehavior.
“I do see it as a turning point,” he said to AFP.
“It’s great that Facebook is doing this, but it doesn’t solve the problem… because politicians now have access to a variety of platforms.
“Hun Sen now utilises the Telegram app to communicate with followers and TikTok to interact with young people.”
Warren said that Meta’s choice was better late than never.
“What they’re doing is demonstrating that Meta can police content,” he explained.
“Because the video was made in January, which is six months ago, Meta has had a long time to deal with this situation
“They haven’t been as quick,” he said.
Following international criticism, the Cambodian government halted plans for a national internet gateway last year.
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Hun Sen’s vow to restrict Facebook in Cambodia, according to Warren, might resurrect the gateway idea. This will route all web traffic through a state-controlled entry point.
Warren described it as another example of “splinter-net” — the internet becoming divided into regional organizations.
Back To Books
For many Cambodians, Facebook is the entirety of the internet.
Hun Sen’s vow to block the platform elicited mixed reactions in Cambodia.
For instance, some are arguing that a ban would harm small businesses that rely on Facebook for sales.
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“If Facebook is blocked, relations with the West will deteriorate. Bad officials will be pleased,” one Facebook user wrote.
Others agreed with the decision.
“People will return to reading books if Facebook is blocked. There will be no headaches from unethical behaviour.
“We got along without Facebook for more than a decade. Close it down!” said one Facebook user.
Meta’s Judgement
The Oversight Board of Meta, whose decisions are binding, recommended on Thursday that Hun Sen’s Facebook and Instagram accounts be suspended for six months.
Most importantly, this is due to a video filmed in January.
The Prime Minster had threatened opponents with legal action or a beating with sticks if they accused his party of vote theft in July’s national elections.
After several hours, Meta announced that it will comply with the judgment to remove the video.
“We will conduct a review of all the recommendations provided by the board in addition to its decision.
“We will respond to the board’s recommendation on suspending Prime Minister Hun Sen’s accounts as soon as we have undertaken that analysis,” the statement stated.
