Meta Faces Employee Backlash After LGBTQ+ Policy Change

Mark Zuckerberg is facing criticism after Meta allowed harmful speech about LGBTQ+ identities under its new content rules, sparking employee protests and public outcry.

Meta’s decision to revise its content moderation policies has sparked significant backlash from employees, advocacy groups, and users.

The updated guidelines, announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, now allow users to label LGBTQ+ identities as forms of “mental illness.” While Zuckerberg defended the move as part of a broader effort to restore “free expression,” critics argue the changes could lead to increased harm, discrimination, and misinformation on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

“We’ve reached a point where it’s just too many mistakes and too much censorship,” Zuckerberg said, adding, “So we’re going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies, and restoring free expression on our platforms.”

However, many employees and external observers contend that the policies reflect a strategic pivot to appease conservative critics and political allies, particularly in light of President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration. Meta employees are reportedly furious with the company’s newly announced content moderation changes 

Revised Hate Speech Guidelines Stir Controversy

The most contentious aspect of Meta’s policy overhaul is the explicit permission to allege “mental illness or abnormality” based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The updated hate speech rules, detailed in leaked training materials reported by The Intercept, cite “political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality” as justification for these changes.

Meta further explained that terms like “weird” are often used in a “non-serious” manner, though critics argue this rationale trivializes the potential harm such language can cause.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including GLAAD, condemned the policy, calling it “alarming” and highlighting the specific inclusion of the term “transgenderism,” which they described as inherently derogatory. Advocacy organizations warn that such policies could exacerbate online harassment and embolden hate groups.

Employees React to Policy Shift

Inside Meta, employees have expressed outrage over the changes, with some taking leave to protest.

A post on Meta’s internal Workplace platform by an LGBTQ+ employee read: “I am LGBT and mentally ill. Just to let you know that I’ll be taking time out to look after my mental health.”

Reports from 404 Media described internal discussions as “total chaos,” with many employees frustrated by the lack of transparency and consultation during the decision-making process.

Leaked internal training documents revealed examples of newly permitted content, including slurs and stereotypes about ethnic and gender identities that were previously banned. These changes have fueled widespread concern among employees who fear they undermine the company’s commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment.

Fact-Checking Ends, Community Notes Begins

Alongside the policy updates, Meta announced the termination of its third-party fact-checking program in favor of a new system called Community Notes.

Inspired by a similar feature on X (formerly Twitter), Community Notes enable users to annotate flagged posts with additional context through a consensus-driven process.

Joel Kaplan, Meta’s global policy head, defended the shift, admitting that the previous fact-checking system had significant flaws. “One to two out of every ten enforcement actions may have been mistakes,” Kaplan stated, emphasizing the need to rebuild trust through greater transparency.

However, critics argue that Community Notes may lack the safeguards necessary to prevent the spread of harmful content.

Frances Haugen, the whistleblower who exposed Meta’s role in the Rohingya genocide, voiced concerns about the potential global implications of these changes. “What happens if another Myanmar spirals out of control?” she asked, highlighting the risks of reduced oversight in volatile regions.

Political Implications and Strategic Alignments

The timing of Meta’s policy changes has raised questions about political motivations, coinciding with President-elect Donald Trump’s imminent return to office. Trump, a vocal critic of perceived anti-conservative bias in tech, praised the changes during a press conference, calling them “a step in the right direction.”

Adding to the controversy is Meta’s appointment of UFC CEO Dana White, a known Trump ally, to its board of directors. White’s history, including a publicly documented incident of domestic violence, has drawn criticism from employees and advocacy groups.

Despite internal dissent, Meta defended White’s appointment as a move to bring diverse perspectives to the company’s leadership.

Strategic Shift Sparks Broader Debate

Meta’s broader restructuring includes the relocation of its trust and safety teams from California to Texas, a decision interpreted by some as a gesture toward conservative alignment. Zuckerberg acknowledged the risks associated with these changes, stating, “We’re going to catch less bad stuff, but we’ll also reduce the number of innocent people’s posts and accounts that we accidentally take down.”

Advocacy groups like Hope Not Hate predict that the new policies will embolden far-right groups and foster divisive narratives. Meanwhile, critics highlight the role of algorithms in amplifying controversial content, raising concerns about the potential for increased misinformation and societal harm.

As Meta rolls out these policies across its platforms, it faces the dual challenge of maintaining user trust while balancing the competing priorities of free expression and platform safety. The ultimate impact of these changes remains uncertain, but the initial response suggests a long road ahead for Zuckerberg’s new approach.

Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus Kasanmascheff
Markus has been covering the tech industry for more than 15 years. He is holding a Master´s degree in International Economics and is the founder and managing editor of Winbuzzer.com.

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