Meta abolishes fact checkers in favor of user-generated content on Facebook and Instagram
- Meta will replace its third-party fact checkers with user-generated 'community notes.'
- The shift is part of an ideological move toward less censorship and aligns with the incoming administration.
- This marks a significant reversal in Meta's approach to combat misinformation and could lead to increased spread of false information.
In January 2025, Meta announced significant changes to its content moderation policies for Facebook and Instagram, which will have sweeping implications on how misinformation is handled across its platforms. The company is discontinuing its partnerships with third-party fact checkers, which had been a key element of its approach since 2016, and will now rely on user-generated content called 'community notes' to provide context around posts. This shift reflects an ideological move towards less censorship coinciding with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump. New Chief of Global Affairs Joel Kaplan expressed that previous relationships with fact checkers displayed biases that affected the objectivity of what was deemed factual and what wasn’t. The decision is tied to a broader push by Meta leadership to improve ties with conservatives and adapt to a new political climate that favors free expression over moderation. This change indicates a stark reversal from Meta's previous strategies centered around combating disinformation, such as the establishment of independent oversight boards and automated systems that aimed to minimize harmful content. With the new policy, Meta plans to shift its focus from monitoring for a range of misleading claims to concentrating specifically on severe violations related to illegal activities, like terrorism and child exploitation. Concerns about misinformation that doesn't fall into these categories will now depend on user reporting. Critics suggest this may lead to an increase in the dissemination of false information, with questions arising about community management and the effectiveness of content verification through peer input. This transformation comes amid escalating pressures for social platforms to balance free speech and responsible citizenship, with stakeholders questioning the role of technology in influencing public dialogue and political outcomes. The implications of these changes are yet to be fully understood, but they signify a critical moment for Meta, reflecting a growing trend where tech companies respond to shifts in political power and public discourse around freedom of expression.