Meta’s and TikTok’s moderation systems are far from perfect and constantly make mistakes. Earlier this week, Taylor Lorenz reported that Meta is restricting queer content and hashtags as “sensitive content,” including hashtags like #trans, #lesbianpride, and #bisexualpride. In October, TikTok fired hundreds of content moderation workers, replacing them with AI. But Instagram, and especially the Reels product, has a reputation for noise. With Zuckerberg’s decision to rescind his policy banning hate speech, he explained that the difference is likely to have political influence on Inauguration Day. There is a possibility that other platforms may follow suit. Elon Musk was the first to set a precedent of trust and safety when he bought the X two years ago. After Meta’s announcement on Tuesday, YouTube declined to comment when asked by The Wall Street Journal if it would make similar fact-checking and policy changes, which would have left the door open. in reality-checking and moderation. Speaking to CNN, one of Meta’s fact-checkers said it will remain operational with funding from, among others, Bytedance. For US users, this only matters as long as TikTok is in the US. Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case related to the government’s attempt to ban the popular app nationwide. If the SCOTUS does not save TikTok on January 19, or some magical deal with the American owner is not completed from the ether, the application – which many users, who have the right to their own speech, see as a safer place than the alternative – will not exist. ChatroomX has seen at least two mass exodus since Elon Musk took over the platform in 2022. The first happened after Musk closed the deal, and the second came shortly after the most recent US election called Trump. In light of this week’s news, are you going to leave the Meta platform? Do you no longer feel safe on Facebook or Instagram? I’d love to hear about how your social media habits have changed. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send them to mail@wired.com.WIRED ReadsWant more? Subscribe now for unlimited access to WIRED. What We’re Reading🔗 Students Charged in TikTok Scheme ‘To Catch a Predator’: A group of Massachusetts students has been charged with kidnapping and conspiracy after coordinating a To Catch a Predator-like “sting” on campus and posting it on TikTok. (New York Times)🔗 Facebook Removes Internal Employee Criticism of New Board Member Dana White: Meta removes employee criticism of UFC CEO Dana White’s hiring from the company’s internal messaging system Several employees commented on a video of 2023 White slapping his wife at a bar on New Year’s Eve. (404 Media)🔗 Heritage Foundation Plans to ‘Identify and Target’ Wikipedia Editors: The Heritage Foundation, publisher of Project 2025, recently informed investors that it plans to use facial recognition software and remove hacked material to identify Wikipedia editors on Friday, I’ll be joining several other WIRED colleagues to cover the oral arguments in the case of TikTok v. The event will be live on our site before 10 a.m. ET. C-SPAN is streaming the argument live here. Also, here’s a TikTok of the coolest January 6th get-together. That’s it for today-thanks again for subscribing. You can contact me via email, Instagram, X, and Signal on makenakally.32.
