EXCLUSIVE
Meta has lifted restrictions on what can be shared on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, allowing users to post previously-banned content, including previously prohibited words. The move aims to prioritize “free expression” and removes fact-checking, which Meta claims has become too restrictive and inaccurate.
The update removes an injunction against using words to refer to transgender or non-binary individuals, and deletes warnings for self-admission of racism, homophobia, and Islamophobia. It also allows allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation.
The change has sparked concerns among experts, who fear it may lead to a rise in hate speech and a decline in standards online. Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor, founder and executive director of CyberWell, an independent nonprofit focused on combating online antisemitism and Holocaust denial, warns that the move will “open the door to more hate speech, more politicized content, and less effective responses from the platforms, particularly undermining the safety of all marginalized communities.”
The change is seen as timed to coincide with the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20, with some claiming that it is a response to his expected return to office. Experts argue that fact-checking, while imperfect, provided a safety net against malicious content, and its removal could lead to a sense of insecurity among users.
The move has been met with a mix of praise and fear, with some welcoming the increased freedom of expression, while others worry about the potential consequences for online communities. The Daily Star has reached out to Meta for comment.