Meta is making a significant shift in its content moderation strategy, reversing its previous stance on political content recommendations on Instagram and Threads.
The Change:
- Political Content Returns: Starting this week in the US and expanding globally next week, both platforms will default to showing users recommended political content from accounts they don't follow.
- User Control: Users will have the option to adjust this setting to receive "less," "standard" (the default), or "more" political content recommendations.
A Sharp Turn:
This move marks a departure from Meta's previous efforts to create a "less angry place for conversations" by minimizing the visibility of political content. Instagram head Adam Mosseri previously emphasized that the platform shouldn't proactively expose users to political viewpoints from unfamiliar sources.
Meta's "More Speech" Policy:
This shift aligns with Meta's recent overhaul of its content moderation policies, prioritizing "more speech and fewer mistakes." This new approach prioritizes free expression, even if it means allowing potentially harmful or misleading content to remain on the platforms.
Timing and Controversy:
- Zuckerberg's Influence: The Wall Street Journal reports that Mark Zuckerberg's personal experience with reduced reach for his posts, coupled with the influence of Meta's new, more conservative-leaning policy chief, may have played a role in this decision.
- User Feedback: Mosseri acknowledges that this change contradicts previous user feedback, where many expressed concerns about overexposure to political content.
Implications:
- Increased Polarization: The reintroduction of recommended political content could potentially exacerbate existing political divisions and contribute to the spread of misinformation.
- Impact on Elections: With the upcoming US Presidential election, this change could significantly impact the information landscape and potentially influence voter behavior.
- Public Scrutiny: Meta's decision is likely to face intense scrutiny from both users and regulators, raising concerns about the platform's responsibility in shaping public discourse.
Conclusion:
Meta's decision to reintroduce recommended political content on Instagram and Threads represents a significant shift in its content moderation strategy. This move, driven by its "more speech" policy, has the potential to significantly alter the user experience and raise concerns about the platform's role in the spread of political information and the potential for increased polarization.
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