Changes to Meta platforms and other social networks are of concern to the trans community

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has recently made waves with a series of policy changes that appear to roll back years of progress on hate speech, post moderation, and inclusivity. These changes have sparked widespread criticism and concern, reflecting a broader shift in the tech giant’s priorities as we approach Trump’s second term in office.

Meta’s updated policies now permit posts that label LGBTQ individuals as mentally ill. The company’s “Hateful Conduct” policy explicitly states: “We do allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality and common non-serious usage of words like ‘weird.’” This change has alarmed LGBTQ folks and advocacy groups, who see it as a dangerous precedent that legitimizes hate speech under the guise of free speech.

Zuckerberg defended the policy shift in a nearly 6-minute video, stating, “What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it’s gone too far. I want to make sure that people can share their beliefs and experiences on our platforms.” This justification, however, has done little to quell fears that Meta’s platforms are becoming a breeding ground for unchecked bigotry.

In addition to altering hate speech policies, Meta has scaled back its fact-checking and moderation efforts. The company will now rely more heavily on community notes rather than third-party fact-checkers. Zuckerberg expressed sympathy for users who had their accounts suspended for hate speech, framing them as victims of overly restrictive policies.

The sudden rollback of moderation and fact-checking across platforms like Meta and X has dangerous implications. Without third-party oversight, misinformation and hate speech are allowed to blossom unchecked. For many users, social media is a safe zone — a place to escape the harsh realities of the world. However, the current trajectory of these platforms threatens to turn our feeds into hostile environments where marginalized groups face constant harassment. 

This approach mirrors recent changes at X (formerly Twitter) under Elon Musk, where content moderation has been significantly curtailed in favor of a right-wing takeover of sorts. The shift has already created lasting consequences, with instances of cyberbullying and hate speech against non-cis individuals increasing all over. 

Meta’s policy changes extend far beyond content moderation. Reports indicate that the company has reduced its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. One particularly troubling report from The New York Times revealed that Meta workers were instructed to remove tampons from men’s restrooms, which had been provided for nonbinary, trans, and gender-nonconforming employees. This move signals a troubling change in the company’s internal culture, one that appears to marginalize its most vulnerable employees.

These changes come as Zuckerberg himself seems to be embracing a more “bro” persona. From his smarmy appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast to his unfounded critiques of DEI initiatives, Zuckerberg appears to be aligning himself with a more right-wing audience. This turn to the right is further underscored by revelations that Meta donated $1 million to Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, alongside contributions from other tech giants like X and Amazon. 

We’ve all seen The Social Network. Zuckerberg’s rise to prominence began with a misogynistic prototype of Facebook that ranked women based on their looks. Critics argue that his recent actions suggest a return to this soulless mentality, prioritizing a narrow audience over the broader inclusivity and accountability that many social media users demand. 

X, under Elon Musk’s leadership, has become increasingly hostile to marginalized communities. Nasty DMs are finding their way through the noise, and it’s grown tiresome for left-leaning users like myself. Many individuals and organizations, including Out In Jersey magazine, have ditched X for alternatives like Bluesky, seeking refuge from the growing toxicity.

The Supreme Court just posted its ruling allowing a new law to ban TikTok, despite what many see as unproven concerns the app is selling user information to the Chinese government. What many folks are pointing out is this ban would take away one of the last “liberal” safe havens of free speech. Members of Gen Z rely on the app. They see it as a place for unbiased news or a more liberal perspective. Others wonder about the algorithms that saturate Gen Z viewers with untrue news items due to its sensational nature. A deadline on TikTok is set for Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. 

The changes at Meta reflect a broader cultural and ethical decline in the tech industry. As Zuckerberg and others continue to prioritize “free speech” over any safety or inclusivity, the question remains: will things just keep getting worse?