Meta announced sweeping changes to its content moderation policies today, marking a significant shift in how Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp will handle user content and misinformation.
In a blog post titled "More speech, fewer mistakes," Meta's new chief global affairs officer Joel Kaplan outlined three key changes to the company's approach. The most notable change is the termination of Meta's third-party fact-checking program in favor of a Community Notes model similar to X.com (formerly Twitter).
The company will also ease restrictions on "topics that are part of mainstream discourse," focusing instead on "illegal and high-severity violations." Additionally, users will have more control over political content in their feeds, allowing for increased personalization based on individual preferences.
These changes represent a departure from Meta's previous stance, implemented following criticism about the spread of election misinformation and COVID-19 misinformation. The company had established an Oversight Committee and increased moderation efforts, but these measures faced criticism from various sides - some arguing they were insufficient, others claiming they were too restrictive or politically biased.
The timing of these changes coincides with broader shifts within Meta's leadership. The company recently appointed three new board members, including UFC head Dana White, a prominent supporter of the incoming administration. Nick Clegg, the outgoing policy chief, was replaced by Joel Kaplan, known for his Republican ties.
In the announcement, Kaplan emphasized Meta's commitment to free expression: "Meta's platforms are built to be places where people can express themselves freely. That can be messy. On platforms where billions of people can have a voice, all the good, bad and ugly is on display. But that's free expression."
The Oversight Board expressed support for these changes, stating they would work with Meta to shape its approach to "free speech in 2025." These policy shifts come as CEO Mark Zuckerberg signals increased willingness to work with the incoming Trump administration, marking a new chapter in Meta's approach to content moderation.