Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has reportedly "heard the message" from President-elect Donald Trump regarding the restriction of online content on his platforms. As a result, Meta will reduce its intervention in users' activities during Trump's administration. This decision follows Trump's clear indication that any consequences from his administration towards Facebook will stem from its actions on content and behavior.
Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen highlighted Trump's desire for Facebook to reduce its oversight, particularly concerning the Maga movement's social media usage. Meta has been approached for comments on these changes to its content moderation policies. Recently, Meta has discontinued the use of third-party fact-checkers in the United States and made other significant changes to its moderation practices. These adjustments align with Trump's view that social media should operate with minimal restrictions.
"The announcement from Mark is him basically saying: 'Hey I heard the message, we will not intervene in the United States'" – Frances Haugen
Haugen expressed her belief that increased content moderation is not a solution to Meta’s ongoing challenges. The company has faced criticism over its handling of hate speech and misinformation on its platforms. Hope Not Hate, a UK-based far-right monitoring group, anticipates a "dramatic increase in toxic content" on Meta's platforms as a result of these policy changes. Such changes may enable far-right groups to more easily coordinate activities at the local level.
"We have seen time and again [that incendiary online content] is having a really violent effect on our streets" – Hope Not Hate
Meta has previously been accused of playing a significant role in spreading hate speech against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Additionally, the company's oversight board has raised concerns regarding the impact of these policy changes on LGBTQ+ and trans people's rights, emphasizing the potential for real-life harm.
"We should expect Facebook to progressively act less and less" – Helle Thorning-Schmidt
Helle Thorning-Schmidt, a member of Meta's oversight board, echoed Haugen's sentiments, noting that Trump's preference is for Facebook to step back from intervention. Thorning-Schmidt emphasized that Maga's strategy involves more than just content; it also involves behavior. This shift in approach raises questions about Meta’s accountability under the Trump administration.
"Is the Trump state department going to call Facebook? Does Facebook have to fear any consequences from doing a bad job?" – Frances Haugen
Maria Ressa, a journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2021, also weighed in, describing the moderation changes as heralding "extremely dangerous times" for journalism, democracy, and social media users. The potential impact on user safety, particularly in the global south, remains a significant concern.
"They're kind of doing the worst of all worlds" – Frances Haugen