Meta is Changing its Strategy: More Freedom of Speech and Less Censorship

Meta, the company behind platforms like Facebook and Instagram, has embarked on a path of radical changes in recent months. Mark Zuckerberg, its founder and CEO, is trying to adjust the company’s direction to strengthen its position amidst a shifting political climate. These changes are largely a response to political pressures, particularly from the incoming administration of President Donald Trump.

A Fundamental Change in Content Moderation

One of the most noticeable changes is the elimination of the Fact Checker system, which previously handled the verification of certain posts. This controversial system was often criticized by the public for being biased, leading to a loss of trust in the platform. Instead, Meta is introducing "Community Notes," a mechanism similar to Twitter’s approach.

The goal of this change is to entrust content evaluation to the community itself, aiming to minimize errors and improve platform transparency.

Stronger Emphasis on Accuracy in Censorship

Meta is re-evaluating its philosophy on content moderation. While the platform previously focused on removing as much inappropriate content as possible, the new policy requires higher accuracy before taking action. This shift means fewer posts will be removed mistakenly, even at the cost of allowing some inappropriate content to remain on the platforms.

Zuckerberg emphasized that the systems will primarily address extreme cases, such as content related to terrorism or drugs, while milder and more controversial topics will have more leeway.

Relaxation of Rules for Controversial Topics

Among the most significant changes is the relaxation of rules on topics like migration, gender, or hate speech. Zuckerberg claims that the original rules were well-intentioned—to protect certain groups—but eventually went too far, leading to the silencing of individuals with differing opinions.

As an example, he mentioned that if a topic can be debated on the floor of the U.S. Senate, it should also be acceptable for discussion on Facebook.

Changes in Staffing Programs and Leadership

Meta is discontinuing its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion programs, which aimed to support the hiring of candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds. The company is returning to the standard that the main criterion for hiring is a candidate’s qualifications, not gender, race, or other factors.

Additionally, the U.S. content moderation team is relocating from California to Texas, which is expected to ensure a more balanced and objective approach.

Involvement of Political Figures

An interesting move is the appointment of Dana White, UFC President and Trump supporter, to the company’s board of directors. This step aims to improve relations with the Trump administration and provide Meta with political cover.

Meta in the Political Context

In his statements, Zuckerberg has repeatedly criticized excessive regulations on American tech companies, arguing that they weaken their competitive position against foreign competition. He supports the view that the U.S. government should protect its tech companies rather than fight against them.

Mark highlights that tech companies are one of the main competitive advantages of the U.S., and undermining them only opens the door to global competitors.

Conclusion

Meta is undergoing significant changes reflecting the shifting political climate and the company’s efforts to adapt to the new administration. While many criticize Mark Zuckerberg for pragmatism and "changing his stripes," his actions could help Meta maintain its influence and regain public trust.