Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is shifting its content verification strategy by prioritizing user feedback over third-party fact-checkers. The company plans to introduce a “Community Notes” feature, inspired by X (formerly Twitter), where users can fact-check posts and comment on their accuracy.
The new system is expected to launch in the United States in the coming months. Meta announced that it may lift restrictions on politically sensitive topics like immigration, gender, and gender identity, emphasizing that discussions allowed in public forums like television and Congress should also be permitted on its platforms.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed support for free expression, stating that recent elections have renewed the focus on freedom of speech and sparked a cultural shift. Joel Kaplan, Meta’s new global affairs chief, acknowledged that the company’s previous reliance on independent moderators often resulted in excessive content censorship, limiting open discussions.
This policy change aligns with broader shifts in the U.S. tech landscape. President-elect Donald Trump, set to assume office on January 20, has previously criticized Meta, calling Facebook a “public enemy.” However, relations appear to be improving, with Zuckerberg attending a dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in November. Meta also contributed $1 million toward Trump’s inauguration fund.
