Meta's Safety Advisory Council has condemned the company's recent policy shifts, particularly the suspension of its fact-checking program, arguing that they prioritize political ideology over global safety and could exacerbate online hate and misinformation.
Meta 's Safety Advisory Council has expressed deep concern over the company's recent policy shifts, particularly its decision to suspend its fact-checking program. In a scathing letter, the council asserted that Meta 's new direction 'risks prioritizing political ideologies over global safety imperatives.' It underscored the immense influence Meta wields as one of the world's most powerful companies, capable of shaping not only online behavior but also broader societal norms.
The council warned that Meta's move to 'dial back protections for protected communities' could 'normalize harmful behaviors and undermine years of social progress.' It cited examples such as the removal of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender, which the council deems 'out of touch with mainstream discourse.' Furthermore, Meta's decision to allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality based on gender or sexual orientation, and to lift bans on dehumanizing language directed at women, transgender, and non-binary individuals, were flagged as particularly troubling.The council acknowledged Meta's efforts to combat egregious and illegal harms but stressed that addressing 'ongoing hate against individuals or communities' must remain a top priority. This, they argued, is crucial as hate speech online disproportionately targets marginalized groups like women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and immigrants, potentially creating an environment where they feel unsafe and excluded. Regarding the termination of the fact-checking program, the council expressed skepticism about the efficacy of crowd-sourced tools like Community Notes in mitigating misinformation. They cited research indicating that false information, even when flagged, can continue to spread widely online. The council emphasized the vital role fact-checking plays, especially in regions vulnerable to misinformation-fueled offline harm and in the face of growing AI adoption globally. Meta, they urged, must ensure that its new approaches adequately address these risks worldwide
Meta Safety Advisory Council Policy Changes Fact-Checking Online Safety Misinformation Hate Speech Inclusion
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