Meta and TikTok’s moderation systems are far from perfect and routinely make mistakes. Earlier this week, Taylor Lorenz reported that Meta restricted queer content and hashtags as “sensitive content,” including hashtags like #trans, #lesbianpride, and #bisexualpride. As late as OctoberTikTok fired hundreds of content moderators and replaced them with AI.
But it’s Instagram, and particularly its Reels product, that has a reputation for harassment. With Zuckerberg’s decision to reverse policies banning hate speech, he made it clear that the distinction is worth the opportunity to exert political influence on Inauguration Day.
It is possible that other platforms will follow suit. Elon Musk was the first to set a precedent for trust and security when he purchased X two years ago. After Meta’s announcement on Tuesday, YouTube declined to comment to the question from the Wall Street Journal if he made fact-checking and similar policy changes, which certainly seems to leave the door open.
It appears, however, that TikTok’s parent company is still interested in fact-checking and moderation. Talk with CNNa Meta fact-checker said it would remain operational with funding from, among others, Bytedance.
For US users, this only really matters as long as TikTok exists in the US. Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case relating to the government’s attempts to ban the popular app nationwide. If SCOTUS doesn’t save TikTok by January 19, or if a magical deal with a US owner isn’t struck from scratch, the app – which many users, who have their own speech rights, consider it a safer space than their own space. alternative – will disappear.
The chat room
The last American elections in favor of Trump.
In light of this week’s news, are you considering abandoning Meta platforms? Do you no longer feel safe on Facebook or Instagram? I’d love to know how your social media habits are changing.
Share your thoughts in the comments below or send them to mail@wired.com.
WIRED readings
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What else do we read
🔗 Students charged in TikTok ‘catch a predator’ scheme: A group of Massachusetts students were charged with kidnapping and conspiracy after coordinating a To catch a predator– as a “sting” operation on campus and posting it on TikTok. (New York Times)
🔗 Facebook removes internal employee criticism of new board member Dana White: Meta removes employee criticism of UFC CEO Dana White’s hiring from an internal company email system. Some employees commented on a 2023 video of White slapping his wife in a bar on New Year’s Eve. (404 Media)
🔗 Heritage Foundation plans to ‘identify and target’ Wikipedia editors: The Heritage Foundation, the publisher of Project 2025, recently told investors that it plans to use facial recognition software and dumps of hacked materials to identify Wikipedia editors. (Before)
The download
On Friday, I’ll join a handful of my other WIRED colleagues to cover the oral arguments in the TikTok v. UNITED STATES. Our live blog of the day’s events will go live on our site before things start at 10 a.m. ET. C-SPAN broadcasts the arguments live here.
It’s also a TikTok from the coolest meeting on January 6.
That’s all for today, thanks again for subscribing. You can contact me by email, Instagram, Xand Signal on makenakelly.32.
