Meta’s Policy Shifts Spark Backlash as Users Flee Platforms

Policy Shifts and Controversy

In recent weeks, Meta discontinued its third-party fact-checking program in the U.S. and announced a shift away from moderating political content. Instead, the company plans to adopt a community notes system similar to Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter). Updates to its hate speech policies now permit labeling LGBTQ individuals as mentally ill based on their identities, further stoking backlash. Additionally, Meta has disbanded its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team, according to NBC News.

Following are significant and controversial policy changes:

1. End of Third-Party Fact-Checking in the U.S.

Prince Harry & Meghan are calling out Zuckerburg & Meta! In a statement the couple said:

“It doesn’t matter whether your views are left, right or somewhere in between—the latest news from Meta about changes to their policies directly undermines free speech.

This should deeply… pic.twitter.com/KoekHciSWI

— Maile (@MaileOnX) January 13, 2025

• Meta has discontinued its third-party fact-checking program in the United States, reducing oversight on misinformation across its platforms.

2. Relaxed Content Moderation Around Political Discourse

• The company has scaled back efforts to moderate political content, opting for a community notes system similar to the one used by Elon Musk’s X.

3. Changes to Hate Speech Policies

• Updates now permit users to label LGBTQ individuals as mentally ill based on their identities, sparking backlash from advocacy groups.

4. Dismantling the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Team

• Meta has disbanded its DEI team, which was responsible for fostering inclusivity and addressing issues of diversity within the organization.

5. Shifts in Content Regulation Focus

• The company has shifted priorities toward engagement and ad revenue, deprioritizing protections for vulnerable communities.

These changes have drawn criticism from users, advocacy groups, and influencers, with many accusing Meta of favoring policies that align with a right-leaning political agenda.

Fact-checkers and online safety organizations are melting down over Meta’s new speech policy, claiming that removing censorship would harm marginalized groups. But, all social progress in the U.S. has resulted from free speech and open debate—not from repression. pic.twitter.com/PmSbV2ggIw

— System Update (@SystemUpdate_) January 10, 2025

User Reactions and Departures

The changes have led some users to reevaluate their presence on Meta’s platforms. Many expressed concerns over safety and inclusivity, particularly within marginalized communities. “I no longer feel safe to post on either platform as a queer Chicana woman,” artst Marie Valencia told NBC. She  stopped posting on Facebook and Instagram despite having over 20,000 followers. Valencia has since transitioned to alternative platforms such as Bluesky and Amigahood, a platform for Latina women.

Others, like Cord Jefferson, director of the Oscar-nominated film American Fiction, have chosen to leave Meta entirely. Jefferson announced his departure from Instagram, expressing frustration with the broader impact of tech billionaires on online spaces. “While we can’t blame tech oligarchs for everything, they bear responsibility for a lot of the decline in online discourse,” Jefferson wrote in his farewell post.

Mixed Responses from Prominent Figures

Stanford law professor Mark Lemley, who previously represented Meta in a legal dispute, has also distanced himself from the company. Lemley criticized Meta’s policy shifts as emblematic of “toxic masculinity and Neo-Nazi madness” and announced that he would no longer represent the company or purchase products advertised on its platforms. While he deactivated his Threads account, he acknowledged the challenge of completely disengaging from Meta due to the personal connections fostered on its platforms.

Challenges of Leaving Meta

Despite the backlash, Meta’s platforms remain integral to many users’ personal and professional lives. Nearly two-thirds of Americans use Facebook, and Instagram boasts close to 170 million U.S. accounts. WhatsApp is similarly entrenched as a key communication tool for millions. A weeklong “Lights Out” boycott scheduled for January 19 has attracted limited participation, highlighting the difficulties of organizing mass departures.

Meta’s new policies permit hate speech targeting LGBT+ people on Facebook and Instagram, putting lives at risk. Sign now to demand they reverse these dangerous changes and protect vulnerable communities. https://t.co/VSEPH0L5xQ

— carrie bradshaw 🕊 (@pradasunset) January 13, 2025

For some, leaving Meta is not merely a protest but a reflection of their values. Stacy Kess, founder of the nonprofit Equal Access Public Media, criticized the updated hate speech policy and announced that her organization would shift its focus to platforms like Bluesky. “This isn’t about moral absolutism,” Kess said. “We’re just living our values by saying, ‘This is not OK.’”

A Gradual Exodus?

While the percentage of users leaving Meta remains small, the dissatisfaction underscores broader concerns about the role of tech giants in shaping public discourse. Whether these departures signal the beginning of a larger exodus or remain isolated incidents will depend on how Meta navigates the growing backlash in the months ahead.