Summarised by Centrist
Meta’s latest moderation policy changes have drawn fire for allowing users to accuse LGBTQ individuals of being mentally ill based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The revised guidelines permit such allegations, citing their prevalence in “political and religious discourse” and the “non-serious usage” of terms like “weird.” Critics argue the policy normalises anti-LGBTQ hatred.
US based GLAAD (formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) President Sarah Kate Ellis condemned the decision. She stated that Meta is “giving the green light” to dehumanising narratives for profit.
The new guidelines also remove bans on hate speech tied to race, gender, disability, and other protected classes. Rules against referring to transgender or nonbinary individuals as “it” have also been scrapped.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended the changes as part of a broader shift toward prioritising free speech.
The company is replacing its fact-checking programme with a community-driven system akin to X’s (formerly Twitter) Community Notes. Zuckerberg framed the move as a response to recent elections and a “cultural tipping point.”
The changes coincide with growing ties between Meta and President-elect Donald Trump. The company recently donated money to Trump’s inaugural fund and announced UFC’s Dana White, a vocal Trump supporter, as a new board member. Critics argue these actions reflect a troubling alignment with divisive politics.
