Meta employees have voiced strong opposition to recent company decisions, including the termination of third-party fact-checking services and the appointment of UFC CEO Dana White to the board. These changes were announced just two weeks before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, sparking internal debates about the company’s direction and values.

Employee Concerns Over Fact-Checking Policy Changes

On the company’s internal platform, employees criticized Meta’s decision to end its third-party fact-checking program. This announcement was made by Joel Kaplan, Meta’s newly appointed chief global affairs officer, who previously served as deputy chief of staff under former President George W. Bush. Kaplan stated that the move aligns with Meta’s commitment to “free expression” and shifts the company’s focus toward user-generated content moderation, similar to X’s Community Notes system.

Kaplan also announced a new content policy that reduces restrictions on certain topics, concentrating enforcement efforts on illegal and severe violations. This approach aims to provide users with a more personalized experience for political content. However, employees raised concerns about the potential consequences of these changes.

One employee described the decision as “extremely concerning,” suggesting that it sends a message that “facts no longer matter” and conflates this shift with a victory for free speech. Another employee lamented the loss of responsibility in creating a “safe and respectful platform,” warning that the changes could lead to an influx of harmful content, including racist and transphobic material. A separate worker expressed fears that the policy could pave the way for further misinformation.

While many employees criticized the move, others supported it, arguing that user-generated systems like Community Notes provide a more accurate representation of the truth. Some employees called for an analysis of the failures that led to the creation of the fact-checking program and whether the new policies could prevent similar issues in the future.

The End of Fact-Checking

Meta’s decision to terminate third-party fact-checking follows years of scaling back such initiatives. For instance, in 2024, the Associated Press ended its fact-checking agreement with Meta. As part of the company’s 2023 layoffs, Meta also scrapped an internal fact-checking project that allowed third-party organizations like Reuters and AP to verify flagged articles.

Backlash Over Board Appointments

The criticism wasn’t limited to the fact-checking policy. Employees also questioned the appointment of Dana White, UFC’s CEO and a close ally of Donald Trump, to Meta’s board. White has faced controversy, including a 2023 incident where he was filmed slapping his wife during a New Year’s Eve party. Although White publicly apologized, some employees raised concerns about how his addition aligns with Meta’s values.

Internal discussions included jokes and skepticism about the new board members, with some employees questioning the relevance of executives from the automotive and entertainment industries to Meta’s mission. Others speculated that the appointments were politically motivated, aimed at strengthening alliances but potentially altering the company culture.

Comments referencing White’s personal controversies were flagged and removed, with Meta’s Internal Community Relations team reminding employees about the company’s “community engagement expectations” policy. The team emphasized the need for a respectful work environment, discouraging criticism of colleagues or board members.

Accusations of Censorship

Some employees accused Meta of censoring critical but respectful comments, arguing that the company’s moderation policies suppressed dissenting voices. One worker expressed support for “women and all voices,” highlighting the importance of allowing constructive criticism.

A Divided Workplace

These developments underscore growing tensions within Meta as the company navigates its relationship with political stakeholders and its content moderation policies. While some employees support the changes, many remain deeply concerned about the long-term implications for the platform’s integrity and values.

Meta has declined to comment on the internal discussions.