Policy Overhaul Sparks Alarm
Meta’s recent move to relax content moderation sparked a sharp rebuke from its Oversight Board, an independent body established to oversee ethical decisions. The policy changes, introduced in January, included scrapping U.S. fact-checking and easing rules around sensitive topics like gender identity and immigration.
The Board expressed concern that these decisions were made “hastily, in a departure from regular procedure, with no public information shared as to what, if any, prior human rights due diligence the company performed.”
Zuckerberg’s Shift and Trump Ties
The timing raised eyebrows, as the changes came just as Donald Trump began his second presidential term. Some interpreted the move as an attempt by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to rebuild ties with conservatives, after years of criticism over the platform’s approach to misinformation.
Zuckerberg defended the decision, saying efforts to curb harmful content had led to “too many mistakes and too much censorship,” though Meta did not share evidence or error data to support that claim.
Offensive Content Left Untouched
The overhaul also meant Meta would no longer proactively scan for “less severe” policy violations, allowing derogatory references to LGBTQ individuals and misogynistic comparisons—such as calling women “household objects”—to stay online. Meta would instead focus on detecting only extreme content like terrorism and child exploitation.
First Content Case Rulings Post-Policy
In its first rulings since the policy shift, the Board upheld some controversial content—like debates on transgender bathroom access—but also ordered the removal of posts containing racial slurs.
Seventeen Urgent Recommendations
In response, the Board issued 17 recommendations, urging Meta to:
- Strengthen enforcement of harassment and hate speech rules.
- Clarify what hateful ideologies are banned.
- Regularly assess the global impact of its policies, especially in conflict zones.
- Evaluate and publish findings from its new Community Notes tool, which replaced traditional fact-checking partnerships.
Meta Responds—Kind Of
A Meta spokesperson said the company welcomes decisions that “promote free expression,” but did not address the Board’s critical rulings or recommendations directly.
Meta has promised to respond formally within 60 days.
Still Committed, Says Board
Despite the clash, Oversight Board Co-Chair Paolo Carozza confirmed Meta’s continued cooperation.
“We have no reason to think that Meta is soured on the board or planning to make any large scale structural changes,” he told Reuters.
Meta has sent a steady flow of cases to the Board and committed to funding it through 2027, allocating at least $35 million annually. Previous contributions included $150 million in 2022 and $130 million at launch in 2019, all secured in an Irrevocable Trust.
The Bigger Picture
This episode highlights the delicate balance between free speech and responsible platform governance. As Meta pivots, the Oversight Board remains a critical counterweight, tasked with ensuring that the company’s reach doesn’t come at the cost of user safety or human rights.
