Social media giant Meta has announced it will end its US fact-checking program, replacing it with a community-based system similar to that of X, formerly known as Twitter. The move, aimed at reducing content censorship, also includes a relaxation of restrictions around controversial topics such as immigration and gender identity.
The decision represents a shift in policy for the company, which has faced significant criticism for its content moderation efforts, particularly from conservative circles. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has long supported active moderation to combat misinformation, but he acknowledged the need for a new approach. In a video message, Zuckerberg stated, “We’ve reached a point where it’s just too many mistakes and too much censorship. It’s time to get back to our roots around free expression.”
He emphasized that Meta would now focus on reducing errors, simplifying its policies, and restoring freedom of speech across its platforms, which include Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. “We’re going to tune our content filters to require much higher confidence before taking down content,” he added.
The end of Meta’s fact-checking program, which began in 2016, has caught some of its partner organizations off guard. Jesse Stiller, managing editor of Check Your Fact, expressed surprise, stating, “We didn’t know that this move was happening and it comes as a shock to us. This is definitely going to affect us.”
Other partners, such as Reuters and AFP, have yet to comment publicly. However, Meta’s independent Oversight Board supported the changes, which will apply to more than 3 billion users across the company’s platforms.
Zuckerberg’s recent comments reflect broader changes within the company, including the appointment of Joel Kaplan, a former Republican policy executive, as head of global affairs and the election of Dana White, CEO of the UFC and a close associate of President-elect Donald Trump, to its board.
Critics, however, warn that the move could exacerbate the spread of misinformation. Ross Burley, co-founder of the Centre for Information Resilience, argued, “This is a major step back for content moderation at a time when disinformation and harmful content are evolving faster than ever.”
Meta’s new community-based model, which will be gradually rolled out in the US over the next few months, allows users to flag potentially misleading posts for further context. Unlike the previous fact-checking system, Meta will not decide which “Community Notes” are displayed on posts.
The company will also shift its trust and safety teams from California to Texas and other US locations, and focus its automated systems on high-severity violations, including terrorism and drug-related content.
Despite the skepticism surrounding the change, some see it as a smart move. X CEO Linda Yaccarino commented, “It’s a smart move by Zuck and something I expect other platforms will follow.”