Meta's fact-check halt ignites UN and EU scrutiny
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed his views on moderating hate speech on social media. He clarified that such actions should not be considered censorship. His statement followed Meta's announcement to discontinue fact-checking on its platforms.
In his post on the X platform, Volker Türk remarked that "allowing hate speech & harmful content online has real world consequences."
Allowing hate speech & harmful content online has real world consequences. Regulating such content is not censorship. My Office calls for accountability & governance in the digital space, in line with human rights - Türk wrote on social media.
Meta's decision, announced by Mark Zuckerberg, involves implementing a new moderation system inspired by the X platform. This system aims to eliminate fact-checking and enhance the role of users in monitoring content. Zuckerberg contended that these changes address increasing public opposition to censorship on the internet.
Germany watches social media with concern
Friedrich Merz, leader of the German CDU party, expressed his apprehension about the changes being enacted by Meta.
I watch with growing concern as platforms for disinformation, one-sided campaigns, half-truths, agitation, hate, and those excesses we see there are being created - he stated.
According to Merz, the European Union should respond to the actions of social media platforms.
The Meta corporation, owner of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, faces challenges in managing content online. Decisions regarding moderation could have significant consequences for users worldwide.
