SAN FRANCISCO – In a highly unusual move, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made sweeping changes to the company’s approach to online speech, following a visit to President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in December 2024. The changes, which were developed in secret by a small team of top executives, were announced on January 7, blindsiding many of Meta’s 72,000 employees.
The new policies loosen restrictions on discussions about contentious social issues such as immigration, gender, and sexuality, and eliminate the company’s fact-checking program in favor of user-policed content. The changes have drawn applause from Trump and conservatives, criticism from President Joe Biden, and concerns from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups about potential harassment.
Meta also announced the end of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, eliminating the chief diversity officer role and diversity hiring goals. The company plans to focus on “fair and consistent practices that mitigate bias for all,” according to Janelle Gale, Meta’s vice-president of human resources.
The internal reaction at Meta has been sharply divided, with some employees celebrating the changes and others expressing shock and shame. The company’s chief marketing officer, Alex Schultz, defended the changes, arguing that societal debates should not be hindered by company policies.
The overhaul comes as Meta positions itself for the political landscape under the incoming Trump administration, reflecting Zuckerberg’s personal views on free speech and content moderation. The changes have sparked intense debate and backlash, both within the company and in the broader public sphere.