Meta Eases Content Moderation, Drops Third-Party Fact-Checkers

Meta has announced plans to relax its approach to political content moderation and phase out third-party fact-checking, a program it has relied on since 2016.

Emphasizing the importance of free speech, the company stated that social media should be a space for diverse opinions. "On platforms where billions of people can have a voice, all the good, bad and ugly is on display. But that's free expression," Meta said in a statement.

Acknowledging past missteps, Meta admitted that its fact-checking system had gone too far, initially designed to combat misinformation but ultimately turning into a tool of censorship. This led to unjustified content removals and slow support responses, frustrating users.

To replace third-party fact-checkers, Meta will implement a Community Notes system, similar to the model used by X (formerly Twitter). Instead of Meta deciding what content should be visible, users will be able to add context to disputed posts, shifting responsibility for content evaluation to the community.

The new policy will roll out in the U.S. first, with Community Notes launching in the coming months, followed by an expansion to other regions. Meta hopes this shift will restore user trust and create a more balanced approach to moderation.