Published Date: 05/22/24

When we checked up on Meta in May 2023, its anti-piracy efforts looked abysmal. A year has passed, so it’s time for an annual exam.

Meta’s stock price reached new heights in 2024, but how well has the trillion-dollar behemoth kept promises to protect creatives?

Well, Meta STILL hasn’t fixed the numerous problems with Rights Manager. Few artists are allowed to use this copyright protection tool. The ones who do gain access report that Rights Manager misses matching images if they have been rotated, inverted, or altered in other superficial ways.

Meanwhile, Facebook Groups devoted to piracy continue to thrive and multiply. Here are screenshots from March 2024:

facebook group image

Let’s find out how Meta says it’s doing, according to its latest IP transparency report.

So, put on some nitrile gloves, turn on your medical penlights, and get ready to interpret some deeply concerning measurements.

Meta’s Piracy Checkup - An Interactive Quiz

1
When we checked Meta’s vitals in May 2023, the number of takedown notices it received per month was last reported at 203,000.

What happened to the number of takedown notices received each month since then?

The correct answer is (C) 657,000.
Meta’s takedown notices per month reached this record high in December 2022. If Meta were a responsible company, it would have taken meaningful steps in 2023 to decrease the rampant copyright infringement on its platforms. But none of us are falling for that “responsibility” bullshit anymore, right?

2
Meta previously said it was removing content in response to 68%-83% of takedown notices. Of course, takedown notices can be accepted or rejected for illegitimate reasons. No company is perfect – least of all Meta.

Still, Meta’s incentive to keep as much material as possible on its platforms is to attract users and increase ad revenues. Because of this, when Meta removes content in response to a takedown notice, we tend to believe the content was infringing.

So, what percentage of takedown notices led to removals, according to the most recent figures?

The correct answer is (B) 68%-83%.
However, Meta’s condition only appears to have remained stable. Remember – we just learned that Meta’s number of monthly takedown notices reached a new height. Even though the percentage of presumptively valid takedown notices remained the same, Meta had to remove MORE content for alleged infringement because the overall number of takedown notices rose. Here’s the breakdown. In the two most recently reported quarters, Meta removed an average of 507,833 pieces of content per month. In the previous two quarters, Meta removed an average of 462,000 pieces of content per month. That means Meta had to remove 9.9% more content in the most recently reported quarters. By this measure, Meta’s piracy problem is only growing.

3
Meta has difficulties being candid, but good doctors listen to their patients. In that spirit, we’re prepared to suffer once again through an explanation that Meta proactively removes almost all infringing content.

If Meta persists in delusions, lies, or willful ignorance, it could help us to diagnose a sociopathology or psychotic break from reality.

We’d love to help Meta! Because? We care. 😊

So, let’s assume our best bedside manner and ask a question that repeatedly elicits a bogus answer: What percentage of infringing content did Meta remove before rightsholders complained?

The correct answer is (B) 84%-92%.
It is “correct” in the sense that Meta said it. The measurement is actually bullshit. Let’s review the reasons why. Meta likes to pretend that rightsholders, automated detection systems, and human content moderators catch every instance of infringement. Then, Meta boasts that its own algorithms and employees do around 90% of the work. It makes Meta look good, right? WRONG! No one knows how many instances of infringement go undetected. As you saw from our earlier screenshots, it is not difficult to find piracy Pages on Facebook. An independent audit might reveal the answer, but unfortunately, Meta refuses independent audits like a man who won't go to the doctor.

4
Throughout this quiz, we’ve referred to Meta’s most recent self-reported data. Meta began releasing semiannual IP transparency reports in 2017.

Because Meta usually publishes IP transparency reports in November and May, we expected Meta’s report for the first half of 2023 in November 2023. When do you think that report was released?

The correct answer is (C) Never.
Unfortunately, as of April 15, 2024, Meta has not released an IP transparency report since May 2023. The latest report covered the second half of 2022, so Meta has shared NO information from 2023. That means Meta’s anti-piracy efforts may not even have a pulse!

Scorecard

Well, Meta failed its annual piracy checkup. Miserably. How did you do on our quiz? To find out, consult the following chart after counting your correct answers.

0-1 Correct Answers.

You didn’t know much about piracy on Meta’s platforms, but don’t feel bad!

This patient lies to the doctor and covers up symptoms. That’s why its IP transparency reports (if it even releases them!) are a sham.

2-3 Correct Answers.

You recognized most of Meta’s self-reported statistics. Good job! Too bad Meta’s transparency reports are rank garbage.

4 Correct Answers.

You were familiar with Meta’s issues, or you knew what to expect. Excellent work! Only the most discerning doctors can tell when a patient’s conscience has flatlined.

Thank you for taking our quiz! We hope it helped you learn more about piracy on Meta’s platforms.

If you think Meta should invest in effective anti-piracy measures, then help us spread the word! You can start by forwarding this quiz to your family and friends.