Social media platforms as geopolitical actors: Global inequalities in the social media content moderation of violent conflict

This study examines how major social media platforms articulated their roles as geopolitical actors during two distinct violent conflicts: the Tigray War in Ethiopia and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of platforms’ corporate communications, the article explores how social media companies framed their responsibilities and policy interventions in each case, and how these positions were criticized by state and civil society actors. The findings reveal contrasting responses. During Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, platforms openly aligned with Western political interests, suggesting a shift toward more active geopolitical engagement. Conversely, during the 2020–2022 Tigray conflict, platforms continued to emphasize an explicitly neutral stance, focusing instead on user safety and impartiality to any political ideology. The authors argue that these divergent approaches highlight persisting inequalities in global debates over content moderation.