Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced it will end its use of independent fact-checkers on both platforms. Instead, it will implement “community notes,” where users can comment on the accuracy of posts. This system is similar to the model used by X (formerly Twitter) after its acquisition by Elon Musk.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, stated that third-party moderators had become “too politically biased” and that it was time to focus on free expression again.
The change follows criticism from political figures, especially Donald Trump and his supporters. They accused Meta of censoring conservative voices through fact-checking. Trump expressed approval, calling it a positive step for Meta.
The move has raised concerns from organizations fighting online hate speech. They argue that it may worsen the spread of misinformation and harmful content. Meta, however, clarified that high-severity violations, like suicide or self-harm content, will still be moderated using automated systems.
This change comes as Meta aligns itself with political shifts in the U.S., with Trump set to return to office. Joel Kaplan, a former Republican official now leading Meta’s global affairs, emphasized that the company aims to reduce unnecessary censorship while addressing harmful content. Meta has not yet made similar changes for platforms in the UK or EU due to stricter content regulations.
Meta’s decision reflects a broader trend seen across tech platforms. Some experts say it marks a major pivot in how these platforms handle speech and content moderation.
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