Meta’s recent policy changes have sparked widespread concern among employees and users alike. The company’s decision to terminate its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, promote “masculine energy,” and relax content moderation policies has been met with criticism from many quarters.
The DEI program was a significant departure from Meta’s previous commitment to supporting underrepresented groups in the workforce and through its products. The company had reported on diversity metrics as early as 2014 and had made progress towards its goals, including doubling the number of Black, Hispanic, and women employees.
However, Meta’s new policy shift has been criticized for undermining years of progress and creating a hostile work environment. The decision to promote “masculine energy” has been particularly contentious, with many arguing that it is a thinly veiled attempt to suppress the contributions of women and marginalized groups.
The company’s loosening of content moderation policies has also raised concerns over the spread of hate speech and misinformation. The removal of Meta’s fact-checking operations may accelerate the spread of biased or incorrect information about vulnerable populations, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ communities, and immigrants.
These policy changes have significant implications for both employees and users. For a platform that connects billions of people, this retreat from inclusivity and shift towards unchecked speech could have profound consequences that reverberate far beyond Meta’s own walls.
The impact of these policy shifts will be felt across society, particularly among marginalized groups who are already facing significant barriers to inclusion and representation. As companies like Meta take steps away from their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is essential to consider the broader social implications of these decisions.
Meta’s decision to abandon its DEI initiatives, promote “masculine energy,” and relax content moderation policies marks a concerning departure from the responsibility that companies of its scale and influence have towards employees, users, and society at large.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebekahbastian/2025/01/12/understanding-the-real-cost-of-metas-policy-changes