Huge problems with axing fact-checkers, Meta oversight board says

The chairman of an independent body that monitors content on Facebook and Instagram has said he is “deeply concerned” about the impact of parent company Meta’s decision to ditch researchers will affect smaller groups.

Helle Thorning-Schmidt, from the regulatory agency Meta, told the BBC that she welcomes aspects of the shake-up, which will see users decide on the accuracy of posts through “public posts” of the X type.

However, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said there were “big problems” with what was announced, including the potential impact on the LGBTQ+ community, as well as gender rights and change.

“We see many cases where hate speech can destroy real life, so we will be watching this site very carefully,” he added.

In the posted video Along the company’s blog on Tuesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the idea was inspired by “returning to our roots in terms of freedom”.

He said the third-party researchers used by the company were “very politically biased”, meaning that many users were “being tested”.

However, journalist Maria Ressa – who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 – said the idea that the amendment would promote free speech was “absolutely wrong”, telling the AFP news agency that the decision meant there were “dangerous times” ahead. users and democracy.

“Only if you have value to say; only if you want power and money to say,” said Ressa, who also founded the Rappler website in the Philippines.

The decision has raised questions about the survival of Thorning-Schmidt’s board of directors.

It is supported by Meta and created by the international president, Sir Nick Clegg, who announced that he was leaving the company less than a week ago.

Thorning-Schmidt – Denmark’s prime minister – stressed that it is more important than ever.

“That’s why it’s good we have a regulatory body that can discuss this clearly with Meta”, he said.

Some have suggested that Sir Nick’s departure – and monitoring of changes – is an attempt to move closer to the Trump administration, gaining access to the influence he enjoys. Another technology expert, Elon Musk.

Technology reporter and author Kara Swisher told the BBC it was “very funny” she had seen Zuckerberg make up “over the years” what they had been saying about him.

“Facebook does whatever it wants to do for itself,” he said.

“They want to kiss Donald Trump, and find Elon Musk doing it.”

When Campaigners against online hate speech reacted with dismay at the changesome free speech advocates are pleased with the news.

The US-based human rights group Fire said: “Meta’s announcement shows the market for ideas at work. Users want a social network that does not suppress politics or use advanced searches.

“These changes will hopefully bring more unlimited choices and free speech on Meta platforms.”

Speaking after the changes were announced, Mr Trump told a press conference that he was impressed by Mr Zuckerberg’s idea and that Meta had “come a long way”.

Asked if Zuckerberg was “directly responding” to Trump’s previous threats, the incoming US president replied: “Maybe.”

Mr Zuckerberg acknowledged on Tuesday that there was a risk to the company in the change of mind.

“It means we’ll catch fewer bad things, but we’ll also reduce the number of posts and accounts of innocent people that we accidentally download,” he said in his video message.

X’s move to a more streamlined process has helped a lot to disagree with advertisers.

Jasmine Enberg, an analyst at Insider Intelligence, said that this was dangerous for Meta as well.

“Meta’s massive scale and powerful advertising platform put a stop to it from a user like X and an advertiser,” he told the BBC.

“But brand safety remains the most important factor in determining where advertisers spend their money – any major drop could hurt Meta’s business, given the intense competition for users and ad dollars.”