Mark Zuckerberg’s recent announcements about Meta’s future, including relaxed content moderation policies and closer alignment with far-right figures, have sparked controversy and a wave of account deletions across its platforms, particularly Threads. Once positioned as a friendly alternative to Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), Threads now faces backlash as its changes echo Musk’s controversial management style.

Key Announcements and Changes

  • Policy Shifts:
    Meta has halted independent fact-checking efforts, reduced moderation on anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech, and eliminated diversity initiatives. Transgender employees have reported reduced accommodations, and LGBTQ+ themes were removed from Messenger.
  • Zuckerberg’s Public Statements:
    During appearances, including a conversation on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Zuckerberg criticized “legacy media” and regulations, while advocating for “free speech” that some view as enabling harmful content. He also expressed admiration for Musk’s “Community Notes” model, which he plans to implement in Threads.
  • Employee and Leadership Changes:
    Meta reassigned its chief diversity officer and removed its vice president of civil rights. Some employees are being relocated from California to Texas, reflecting an ideological shift.

User and Industry Backlash

  • Mass Departures:
    A surge in account deletions on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads followed these changes. Alternative platforms, like Pixelfed, reported unprecedented user traffic. Celebrities and legal professionals have also publicly announced their exits.
  • Advertiser Concerns:
    Major advertisers have raised alarms about Threads’ new direction, fearing it will alienate key demographics and tarnish Meta’s reputation.
  • Threads’ Decline:
    Originally envisioned as a “public conversations app” with over a billion users, Threads’ engagement plummeted after its July 2023 launch due to poor moderation and a lack of political content. Recent changes have further dampened enthusiasm for the platform.

Comparison to Elon Musk’s Twitter

Observers note that Zuckerberg is mirroring Musk’s controversial overhaul of Twitter:

  • Both leaders have relaxed content moderation under the guise of free speech.
  • Threads’ adoption of “Community Notes” and softened stances on misinformation resemble Musk’s strategies.
  • Political alignment with conservative figures has drawn criticism from liberal users and activists.

Impact on Meta’s Ecosystem

While Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp remain dominant communication platforms, Threads’ appeal as a Twitter alternative is waning. Critics argue that by emulating Musk’s X, Zuckerberg has undermined the very reason users sought refuge on Threads—its distinction from Twitter.

Mark Zuckerberg’s radical new direction for Meta and Threads risks alienating its core user base while jeopardizing the platform’s future. As public and advertiser discontent grows, the question remains whether these changes will bolster Meta’s long-term strategy or hasten Threads’ decline.

The news was originally featured on Slate.