Key facts
- Meta has reduced its content moderation efforts.
- Critics argue this decision may have unleashed more antisemitic content.
- The royal commission into antisemitism is investigating Meta's policy.
- Meta's new policy permits offensive claims and stereotypes.
- Factcheckers have been removed as part of the policy change.
- Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are affected by the decision.
Meta is under fire for its recent decision to scale back content moderation efforts, a move that critics contend has potentially opened the floodgates for more antisemitic and hateful content across its social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. The royal commission into antisemitism has been examining this policy shift, hearing testimony that the company's updated approach now permits the dissemination of offensive claims and stereotypes. This represents a significant departure from prior content moderation strategies that included the involvement of factcheckers. The commission's investigation focuses on the direct impact of these policy changes on the prevalence of harmful and discriminatory material online. The decision to reduce moderation is being scrutinized for its potential to foster a more hostile online environment, particularly concerning antisemitic tropes and hate speech. The implications of Meta's content policy adjustments are a central point of discussion in the ongoing inquiry.