Meta has implemented significant revisions to its policies regarding "hateful conduct," granting users more leeway in expressing potentially offensive views on its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Following Mark Zuckerberg's announcement about these changes in content oversight, several key modifications have been made.
Among the alterations, specific prohibitions against referring to transgender and non-binary individuals as “it” have been rescinded. Moreover, a new clause indicates that allegations of mental illness or abnormality based on gender or sexual orientation are permissible, reflecting what Meta describes as common political and religious discourse surrounding issues of transgender identities and homosexuality. This section also reveals that the platform will allow discussions that may include calls for exclusion or the use of derogatory language, particularly within the context of contentious political topics such as transgender rights and immigration.
While Meta's existing policies continue to prohibit content that dehumanizes groups of individuals based on their protected characteristics or immigration status, the updates imply that users might now draw comparisons of women to household items or make derogatory references that liken people to waste or pathogens. There is also a suggestion that asserting statements like "transgender people do not exist" is now acceptable.
Additionally, warnings against self-identifying as racist, homophobic, or Islamophobic have been eliminated, along with restrictions on hateful language that includes vulgar insults. The adjustments to these policies may also open the door for terminology deemed offensive, such as referring to the coronavirus as the "China virus," a phrase previously popularized by the US president-elect, Donald Trump.
9 Comments
Katchuka
This policy change is a betrayal of all the progress we've made in fighting discrimination. We're going backwards, not forwards, if we tolerate this kind of hate speech on social media platforms.
Loubianka
Boycott Facebook and Instagram until they reverse this decision! Don't let them get away with this blatant disregard for human rights and dignity.
Eugene Alta
This policy change will not lead to more hate speech. It may actually lead to less hate speech, as people will no longer feel the need to express their views in secret.
Loubianka
This policy change will only embolden extremists and white supremacist groups. They will see it as a sign of approval and use it as an opportunity to further spread their hateful ideology.
Katchuka
This policy change is a slap in the face to all those who have been victims of hate speech. It's a betrayal of their trust and safety.
Leonardo
This policy change is long overdue. It's important to allow people to express their opinions freely, even if they are unpopular or offensive to some.
Raphael
Shame on you, Meta! You've lost the trust of your users with this decision.
Habibi
It's time for Meta to take a stand against hate and show that they genuinely care about the safety of all their users. This policy change is a step in the wrong direction.
Mariposa
Isn't Zuckerberg tired of Facebook being constantly criticized for being a breeding ground of hate speech? This policy change will only worsen their already tarnished reputation.