Meta Platforms announced on Tuesday the end of its U.S. fact-checking program and eased restrictions on discussions surrounding sensitive issues like immigration and gender identity. The move comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term in office.
The changes, which impact Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, mark a significant shift in Meta’s approach to political content. CEO Mark Zuckerberg framed the decision as a return to “free expression,” saying, “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.”
Meta’s decision follows organizational shakeups, including appointing Republican policy executive Joel Kaplan as global affairs head and UFC CEO Dana White, a Trump ally, to its board.
Zuckerberg cited the influence of the recent U.S. elections, describing them as “a cultural tipping point” in favor of prioritizing speech.
Critics accuse Meta of bowing to conservative pressure as the company aims to rebuild relations with Trump’s administration. With more than 3 billion users worldwide, the policy shift will likely have significant implications for how political discourse unfolds on Meta’s platforms.
The decision has reignited debates over the balance between free expression and the spread of misinformation online.