Meta's Oversight Board has issued a strong rebuke of the company's recent policy changes, raising concerns about transparency, human rights, and the potential for increased harmful content on its platforms. The board's criticism centers on policy revisions implemented in January, which included easing restrictions on sensitive topics like immigration and gender identity, as well as ending the third-party fact-checking program in the United States.

The Oversight Board, while funded by Meta, operates independently to review the company's content moderation decisions. In a statement released this week, the board stated that Meta's policy changes were "announced hastily, in a departure from regular procedure, with no public information shared as to what, if any, prior human rights due diligence the company performed." This lack of transparency and apparent disregard for potential adverse effects have drawn sharp criticism.

A key concern is Meta's decision to discontinue its US fact-checking program, replacing it with a "Community Notes" system similar to that used by X (formerly Twitter). Critics argue that this shift could open the floodgates to misinformation, particularly in situations where rapid dissemination of false information poses risks to public safety. The Oversight Board has recommended that Meta assess the effectiveness of Community Notes compared to third-party fact-checking, especially in these critical situations.

Furthermore, the board has expressed worries about the easing of restrictions on contentious topics. While acknowledging the importance of freedom of expression, the board emphasizes that Meta has a responsibility to remove content that poses a substantial threat of tangible harm. The revised policies have raised concerns about the potential for increased hateful conduct targeting vulnerable groups, including transgender people, immigrants, and minorities. Examples of now-allowable content include derogatory comments about immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and minorities, which were previously prohibited.

In response to these concerns, the Oversight Board has issued 17 recommendations to Meta. These include clarifying prohibited hate ideologies, assessing the impact of policy changes in conflict zones, reviewing the effectiveness of Community Notes, and strengthening policies against bullying and harassment. Meta has 60 days to respond to these recommendations.

The policy changes are widely seen as an attempt by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to appease conservatives and roll back initiatives aimed at mitigating hate speech, misinformation, and incitement to violence. Critics argue that these changes prioritize political considerations over the safety and well-being of users, potentially fueling violence and undermining human rights. Amnesty International has warned that Meta's new content policies pose a grave threat to vulnerable communities globally and drastically increase the risk that the company will contribute to mass violence and gross human rights abuses, similar to its role in Myanmar in 2017.