Meta is set to overhaul its content moderation policies shortly before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office, amid accusations of bias from Trump and other Republicans. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has openly critiqued existing fact-checking practices, claiming they have eroded trust and led to excessive censorship of conservative views. The new policy will pivot towards allowing more controversial content and will eliminate partnerships with third-party fact-checkers, instead introducing user-generated context labels similar to those previously adopted by Twitter, now termed X.
Zuckerberg acknowledged that this shift may increase the visibility of harmful content, citing a “trade-off” between censorship and free expression. The company is also adjusting its automation systems to focus solely on severe violations, while relaxing restrictions on discussions surrounding sensitive topics like immigration and gender identity. This change coincides with an apparent shift in Meta’s leadership, as new directors with affiliations to Trump join its board. Critics, including an external accountability group, describe these adjustments as “political pandering” and a retreat from responsible moderation practices. As Meta seeks to recalibrate its approach in a new political era, there are concerns about the potential rise in misinformation and harmful narratives across its platforms.