Meta just flipped the switch that prevents misinformation from spreading in the US
The company built effective systems to reduce the reach of fake news & found that these classifiers could reduce their reach by more than 90 %.
Last week, it shut them down.https://t.co/o17nfA4Err— jean marc manach (@manhack) January 15, 2025
President Joe Biden has publicly criticized Meta’s recent decision to remove fact-checkers from their platform, calling the move “really shameful.”
Speaking from the White House, President Biden expressed his concerns about the potential spread of misinformation following Meta’s decision. “It’s a step backward in the fight against false information and disinformation,” Biden stated.
Meta’s new policies allowing certain hate speech “was more of a primarily political capitulation than it was an earnest attempt to revise pressing problems with content moderation,” EFF’s David Greene told @Truthout. https://t.co/yw2VUIzCk5
— EFF (@EFF) January 13, 2025
“At a time when the truth is more important than ever, this move by Meta undermines the public’s ability to distinguish fact from fiction.”
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has faced increasing scrutiny over how it handles misinformation on its platforms.
Today, @CenDemTech + partner orgs sent an open letter to Mark Zuckerberg expressing grave concerns about changes to Meta’s content moderation policies which threaten marginalized groups and undermine free expression. Here’s what you need to know: https://t.co/aTdwausJEx
— Center for Democracy & Technology (@CenDemTech) January 14, 2025
NEW from me for @TheDrum: @Meta's pivot on content moderation & DEI programs is sparking concern about brand safety on FB and IG. But experts say Meta’s dominance (21% of the US' digital ad market) makes an advertiser exodus unlikely. https://t.co/NlGZfSqV63
— Kendra Barnett (@KendraEBarnett) January 14, 2025
The recent decision to cut ties with fact-checkers has sparked debates and concerns across various sectors, including politics, media, and public health.
Biden’s concerns over Meta decision
This announcement follows a series of similar moves by major tech platforms, raising questions about their role and responsibility in moderating content and ensuring the accuracy of information disseminated to the public.
Critics argue that removing fact-checkers could lead to a spike in the spread of fake news, particularly on social media, where information is frequently shared and consumed. Meta has defended its decision, suggesting new strategies for addressing misinformation are underway but has provided limited details on what those might entail. This latest development highlights the ongoing challenges faced by governments and tech companies as they navigate the complex landscape of digital information and its impact on society.