Meta to Scrap Fact-Checkers, Embraces User-Generated Moderation in Policy Overhaul
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is set to eliminate its fact-checking program and replace it with a community-driven moderation system. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the policy shift on Tuesday, acknowledging that the decision could lead to more harmful content appearing on its platforms.
The changes include adopting “Community Notes,” a feature similar to one used by Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), where users contribute context to flagged content. Zuckerberg framed the decision as a response to growing concerns over censorship and political bias in content moderation.
“Fact-checkers have created more mistrust than they have resolved,” Zuckerberg said in a video message. “We’ve gone too far in stifling diverse opinions. This shift is a necessary tradeoff to foster free expression.”
Political Implications
The announcement coincides with significant political developments, including President-elect Donald Trump’s impending inauguration. Meta has faced criticism from conservatives, including Trump, for alleged censorship of right-wing viewpoints.
Joel Kaplan, Meta’s new Chief of Global Affairs and a prominent Republican, emphasized the alignment of the policy changes with the incoming administration’s support for free expression. “The societal and political pressures over the last four years leaned heavily toward censorship. With a new administration, we have a chance to correct course,” Kaplan said.
The shift also follows a broader ideological realignment at Meta, with the recent appointment of Trump ally and UFC CEO Dana White to its board of directors and a $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund.
Community Notes and Reduced Content Filtering
Meta’s new approach will implement community-driven moderation across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, ending partnerships with third-party fact-checkers. Automated systems that previously filtered content for violations will now focus solely on high-severity cases, such as terrorism, child exploitation, and fraud.
Zuckerberg acknowledged the risks of reduced oversight, noting that harmful content might increase. However, he defended the decision as necessary to minimize mistakes that lead to unjust removals of non-violating content. “Our current systems are too error-prone, and millions of users have been affected. This new approach prioritizes fairness and trust,” he explained.
The company is also rolling back restrictions on politically sensitive topics, including immigration and gender identity, and allowing more political content in user feeds.
Mixed Reactions
The policy overhaul has drawn criticism from advocacy groups, including the Real Facebook Oversight Board, which described the changes as “a retreat from responsible content moderation” and accused Meta of pandering to political interests.
“These decisions prioritize political expediency over platform safety,” the group said in a statement.
Following Musk’s Lead
The move aligns Meta’s policies with those of Elon Musk’s X, which dismantled fact-checking teams in favour of community-driven content moderation. Kaplan credited Musk with influencing the debate on free expression and pushing platforms to refocus on it.
Operational Changes
Meta plans to relocate its trust and safety teams from California to Texas and other U.S. locations. Zuckerberg expressed hope that moving these operations would help rebuild trust by addressing concerns over potential biases in moderation teams.
While the policy shift aims to create a more open platform, experts warn of potential challenges in balancing free expression with the risk of harmful content spreading unchecked.
