The truth on Facebook and Instagram? Soon again at your own discretion!
In a surprising turn of events, Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has shut down its fact-checking program in the US. This decision, which at first glance might seem like a throwback to the era of fake news, has not only caused a stir in the US, but also casts a shadow over the European market. What is behind this decision and what does it mean for the future of platforms in Europe?
Zuckerberg's bold move - freedom or responsibility?
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has justified the abolition of the fact check by stating that the system was too error-prone and had repeatedly caused resentment among users. Instead, the users themselves are to take responsibility in future and mark false or misleading statements with the help of "community notes". This sounds like a bold step in the direction of "freedom of expression", but at the same time it raises the question: who decides what the truth is if not independent experts?
Since 2016, Meta has been working with various fact-checking organizations to stop the spread of fake news. In Germany, for example, the Correctiv research project was active. Zuckerberg now apparently sees the danger of such checks restricting freedom of expression - an argument that is particularly important with regard to political topics such as migration and gender issues.
A political change of course and possible consequences for Europe
One particularly explosive topic is Zuckerberg's announcement that he will also loosen restrictions on content, especially on topics such as migration and gender. He himself speaks of a cultural turning point marked by the 2024 US presidential election. Zuckerberg apparently wants to make discussions on his platforms more open and less censored.
But while Zuckerberg is embarking on a course of freedom of expression in the US, Europe is facing a completely different challenge. The EU Commission has already warned that Meta cannot simply ignore the legal requirements to protect against disinformation in Europe. Those who do not adhere to the rules risk heavy fines. What does this mean for Meta if the platforms were to stop the fact-checking program in Europe too?
The responsibility of the platforms - where is the protection against fake news?
Politicians such as SPD Secretary General Miersch have already called for the EU Commission to enforce stricter measures against Meta and other platforms. According to Miersch, the spread of fake news cannot be excused on the grounds of "freedom of expression", but represents a targeted attack on democracy. In this context, the focus is also on Elon Musk, who has taken a similar course with the takeover of Twitter - which has since been renamed X. Musk has greatly reduced the moderation of content and unblocked blocked accounts, including right-wing extremist and anti-Semitic accounts. The question remains: If platforms like Meta and X shirk their responsibilities, what will happen to the public debate?
Watch out, Meta - the tightrope act begins!
It is undoubtedly a delicate balance that Meta is trying to strike. On the one hand, the company wants to give the impression that it upholds "freedom of expression". On the other hand, the Internet is not a legal vacuum, and the responsibility to prevent misinformation and hate speech remains. In Europe, there will be growing pressure on Meta to comply with applicable laws in order to protect society from harmful content. If Meta and co. do not take this responsibility seriously, they could eventually face a legal storm with far-reaching consequences. Even if Zuckerberg's new policy may still be considered innovative in the USA, it could quickly turn into the opposite in Europe.
