Meta’s rollback of safety measures has big implications for social media users in the UK
On January 7, 2025, Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, announced a “new era” for Meta with policy changes that are a huge step backwards in addressing hate and misinformation on its platforms. A new report from CCDH analyses Meta’s policy changes and reveals that the company could stop up to 97% of content enforcement in key areas, notably hate speech. This and other major policy changes could massively impact social media users in the UK.
What rules is Meta changing?
Meta announced big changes to the rules governing its platforms. These changes include:
- Halting “proactive enforcement” of some policies on harmful content
- Demoting less content “that might violate our standards”
- Dropping policies on “immigration, gender identity and gender”
- Replacing independent fact-checking with Community Notes
- Demoting less content about “elections, politics or social issues”
When will Meta’s policy changes be applied in the UK?
Some changes are already in effect in the UK. As confirmed by Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan, the changes to Meta’s hate speech policies were “implemented worldwide immediately”. CCDH confirmed that Meta’s UK “Hateful Conduct” policy had been updated to reflect the changes announced on January 7th.
Other changes have yet to be rolled out here, but Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer says the changes will be “expanded beyond the US” soon.
No other details have been given, raising big questions about when UK users can expect these radical changes.
What could these changes mean for my Facebook and Instagram?
The decision to halt proactive enforcement on some types of harmful content could mean lots more harmful content circulating on Meta platforms. “Proactive enforcement” means automated technologies that detect and moderate harmful content. CCDH’s report shows that in 2024, over 97% of enforcement actions on Meta were proactive, accounting for nearly 277 million pieces of harmful content.
Meta’s announcement stated that proactive enforcement would continue for terrorism, child sexual exploitation, drugs and scams. They did not confirm proactive enforcement for policies on bullying and harassment, dangerous hate organisations, hate speech, self-injury, incitement, and violence and graphic content. If Meta does drop proactive enforcement in these areas, the likely result will be lots more of these types of harmful content on your Facebook and Instagram.
Unfortunately, we have a recent example of what happens when you slash safety standards on social media. Twitter (now X) instituted similar policy changes when Elon Musk took over the platform. UK users will have noticed a huge deterioration of their experience of the platform since those changes were made. Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to copy Elon Musk bodes ill for users of Instagram and Facebook.
Why is this important?
Meta is changing the rules on social media without telling UK users. CCDH research shows just how big the impacts of those changes could be.
“These proposals represent the biggest reversal of rules on Meta platforms, ever,” said CCDH’s CEO, Imran Ahmed. “But the public has been given next-to-no detail on when they will happen, or what they will mean. In trying to copy Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg could see his platforms deteriorate to a similar state as X. Meta’s announcement has major implications for online safety and appears to be in total opposition to the Online Safety Act. The Government, Ofcom and Parliamentarians must demand answers from Meta and strengthen the law where Meta’s bonfire of safety rules is incompatible with protecting users.”
What should the UK Government do?
The UK Government should also be asking Meta how it will be possible to comply with the Online Safety Act with such policies in force.
1. Demand clarity from Meta on the specifics of enforcement changes in UK
- Meta must specify which categories of harmful content will lose proactive enforcement, assessing the impact of halting proactive measures in the UK and sharing this assessment publicly.
- Meta must show how it intends to uphold its legal requirements under the Online Safety Act in light of such radically opposing policies.
- Meta must be clear on when the policy changes are to take effect, and inform UK users of how the changes will affect their online experience.
2. Make clear that there will be no compromises over UK online safety
- Policymakers should raise their voice on this issue, insist on continued enforcement in the UK and upholding of the Online Safety Act.
- The government should distance itself from reports that the Act could be watered down to appease foreign political interests and confirm there will be no backsliding on UK user safety.
3. Call your MP and tell them to stop Meta’s bonfire of safety measures by amending the Online Safety Act
- MPs can use the Data (Use and Access) Bill currently before Parliament to amend the Online Safety Act, inserting a “no-roll-back” clause upholding the current protections for Meta’s UK users.
- At the same time, the government should introduce a set of minimum standards for the largest platforms’ terms of service.
You can also call on Meta to explain the full extent of these changes for people in the UK. Add your name: