The co-chair of the independent body that reviews Facebook and Instagram content has said she is “very concerned” about how parent company Meta’s decision to ditch fact-checkers will affect minority groups.
Helle Thorning-Schmidt, from Meta’s oversight board, told the BBC she welcomed aspects of the shake-up, which will see users decide about the accuracy of posts via X-style “community notes”.
However, speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said there were “huge problems” with what had been announced, including the potential impact on the LGBTQ+ community, as well as gender and trans rights.
She added that there were many instances where hate speech can lead to real-life harm, so the board would be watching the situation very carefully.
The decision has prompted questions about the survival of the board, which Meta funds and was created by then president of global affairs, Sir Nick Clegg, who announced he was leaving the company less than a week ago.
Ms Thorning-Schmidt said that’s why it was good to have an oversight board that could discuss the change in a transparent way with Meta.
Some critics have suggested the move is an attempt to get closer to the incoming Trump administration, and catch up with the access and influence enjoyed by another tech titan, Elon Musk.
While campaigner against hate speech online reacted with dismay to the change, some advocates of free speech have welcomed the news.
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