Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced significant changes to its platforms, aiming to “go back to their roots of free expression.” The updates include removing fact-checkers, introducing Community Notes for content moderation, and easing restrictions on sensitive topics. Zuckerberg cited concerns over the perceived political bias of fact-checkers as a driving factor behind these changes.
The move marks a shift in Meta’s approach to content moderation, aligning with Elon Musk’s approach on X (formerly Twitter). Zuckerberg also plans to reduce censorship by focusing on “illegal and high-security violations” rather than hot-button social issues. Additionally, he is restoring civic content, including posts about politics, which were previously downplayed.
Furthermore, Zuckerberg announced plans to relocate Meta’s content moderation team from California to Texas, in an effort to build public trust and avoid bias. This move comes as Musk is also relocating his companies to the state.
Zuckerberg expressed interest in collaborating with President Trump to push back against governments that restrict free expression worldwide. He cited examples of restrictive laws in Europe, secret courts in Latin America, and China’s outright bans on Meta apps.
However, critics argue that Zuckerberg’s efforts to protect free expression globally are unlikely to succeed, given the lukewarm reception from other countries. In contrast, Musk faces backlash from British Prime Minister for his recent comments on a sensitive topic, highlighting the challenges of globalizing free expression without uniform support.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/07/kelly-evans-zuck-and-musk-vs-europe.html