San Francisco, California – In response to pressure from President-elect Donald Trump, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced plans to reduce interventions on his platforms. Whistleblower Frances Haugen disclosed that Zuckerberg intends to align with the president-elect’s vision of running social media with minimal restrictions. This shift comes after Meta’s decision to discontinue third-party fact-checkers in the US and implement other moderation changes.

Haugen expressed concern over the potential impact of these changes, particularly on user safety standards in the global south. She highlighted Facebook’s role in spreading hate speech against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, as noted by the United Nations in 2018. Amid criticism, Haugen questioned whether Meta would face consequences for failing to monitor harmful content effectively.

The oversight board of Meta, chaired by Michael McConnell and Helle Thorning-Schmidt, vowed to uphold human rights in evaluating Meta’s content moderation policies. McConnell emphasized the board’s role in reviewing controversial decisions to ensure free speech and protect human rights worldwide. However, Thorning-Schmidt raised alarm over the implications of Zuckerberg’s recent announcements on LGBTQ+ and trans rights.

Despite acknowledging the need to remove illegal content, Zuckerberg emphasized Meta’s commitment to preserving free expression. Meanwhile, concerns are raised regarding the potential surge in toxic content on Meta platforms, with groups like Hope Not Hate warning of a rise in far-right extremism and its real-world consequences. The call for strengthened online safety laws underscores the urgency of addressing harmful online content.

Haugen’s revelations shed light on Trump’s efforts to limit Meta’s intervention in social media, particularly in light of the misuse of platforms by the Maga movement during the 2020 presidential election. With Meta taking a hands-off approach to content moderation, questions arise about the platform’s accountability and potential impact on social media behavior.

Looking ahead, Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, expressed concerns about the perilous implications of Meta’s moderation changes for journalism, democracy, and social media users. Haugen’s initiatives to combat social media harms and advocate for responsible online practices highlight the need for more transparent and holistic changes to address the underlying issues at hand.

As discussions around content moderation and social media responsibilities intensify, the actions taken by Meta and the implications they carry continue to draw scrutiny. With Meta’s evolving approach to user safety and free expression, the future of online discourse and accountability remains a pressing concern.