Meta has long touted its content verification program as the most advanced among social media platforms. But in a move echoing Twitter’s transformation into X, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has decided to dismantle it.
The new approach mirrors X’s community notes model, which predates Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter. Zuckerberg announced the changes on Instagram, as is his recent trend, with additional details posted on Meta’s blog.
Why it matters. This decision marks a significant shift in how Meta platforms—Facebook, Threads, and Instagram—combat misinformation. The company is moving from a centralized verification system to one that prioritizes free speech.
The context. Meta launched its external verification program in 2016, partnering with more than 90 organizations to fact-check content in over 60 languages.
The company’s official rationale is that the program has “gone too far.” The changes will roll out first in the U.S. before expanding globally.
Behind the scenes. The timing of this announcement is noteworthy: President-elect Donald Trump is poised to return to the White House, and Meta recently donated $1 million to his inaugural fund. Republican Joel Kaplan will serve as Meta’s top global policymaker.
Critics suggest pandering to the Trump administration could be a more explicit motive than the claim that the program had overreached. This represents a stark contrast to Meta’s previous stance. Other tech giants, including Apple, are also showing a friendlier approach to Trump compared to 2016.
Key changes:
- Elimination of the external review program.
- Introduction of community notes, similar to X.
- Moderation team relocation from California to Texas.
- Eased restrictions on topics like immigration and gender.
- Gradual reintroduction of political content into feeds.
Meta says these changes aim to reduce errors and simplify its policies. Automated systems will still monitor and address severe violations, including terrorism, child exploitation, drug-related content, and fraud. However, enforcement of minor violations will now depend on user reports.
Image | Xataka On with Grok
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