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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Tuesday that Facebook and Instagram are dropping their fact-checkers. Instead, the platforms will rely on user-driven “community notes,” much like Elon Musk’s approach on X (formerly Twitter). The timing is no coincidence—President-elect Donald Trump is about to take office, and this marks a big change in how Meta handles content.
Zuckerberg explained the shift by saying fact-checking had become too politically biased, doing more harm than good. “It’s gone too far,” he said, while admitting the tradeoff: more harmful content could slip through the cracks. Meta will also cut back its automated moderation systems, now focusing only on severe issues like terrorism, child exploitation, and fraud.
...the big question remains: Will Meta strike the right balance, or will this open the floodgates for misinformation?
The decision has raised eyebrows. Critics see it as a move to cozy up to Trump, who has accused Meta of censoring conservative voices. Not only was Trump’s team given a heads-up about the policy change, but the president-elect praised the decision, calling it a step in the right direction for free speech.
As part of these changes, Meta is moving its trust and safety teams out of California to Texas and other states. Zuckerberg says this will help rebuild trust, especially in areas where people are less concerned about bias. “I think that will help us build trust,” he said.
This isn’t the only recent shift at Meta. Just days ago, UFC CEO and Trump ally Dana White was appointed to the company’s board, joining two other new directors. Meta also announced a $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund. These moves seem to signal a rightward tilt in Meta’s leadership.
Critics aren’t holding back. The Real Facebook Oversight Board, an outside watchdog group, slammed the changes as “political pandering” and a step toward chaos. They argue the decision opens the door to misinformation about elections, vaccines, and other hot-button issues.
By following Musk’s lead, Zuckerberg is leaning into a free-speech-first strategy. But with fewer restrictions on political topics like immigration and gender identity, the big question remains: Will Meta strike the right balance, or will this open the floodgates for misinformation?
With information from CNN
