Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, revised its content moderation policies, loosening restrictions on certain types of speech. The changes, announced Tuesday, include allowing allegations of mental illness against LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly in discussions surrounding transgenderism and homosexuality. Additionally, the policies now permit arguments for "gender-based limitations" in professions like military service, law enforcement, and teaching, when linked to religious beliefs.
These adjustments are part of a broader overhaul aimed at "reducing mistakes, simplifying policies, and restoring free expression," according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The company is also dismantling its third-party fact-checking program, replacing it with a user-driven "Community Notes" system. This mirrors the approach of Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) by relying on users to flag potentially misleading or biased content.
Zuckerberg highlighted a perceived shift in societal discourse as a driver for these policy changes. He argued that efforts to increase inclusivity had inadvertently stifled opposing viewpoints, citing recent elections as a catalyst for re-evaluating the balance between inclusivity and freedom of speech.
The CEO's recent actions, including meetings with President-elect Trump and a donation to his inaugural fund, suggest a potential realignment of Meta's stance on political discourse. Trump, in turn, welcomed the revisions, suggesting a possible connection between the changes and prior pressure from the former president.
