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Here are some of the horrible things that you can now say on Instagram and Facebook
Meta’s recent policy changes have opened the floodgates to a slew of harmful and discriminatory language on its platforms. As part of a broader overhaul, Meta has removed or updated several sections of its Hateful Conduct policy, effectively allowing users to make derogatory comments about LGBTQ+ individuals, women, immigrants, and other marginalized groups.
One significant change is the removal of a section that previously banned making dehumanizing references to transgender or non-binary people as “it” or referring to women “as household objects or property or objects in general.” This decision has been widely criticized by advocacy groups like GLAAD, which argues that it will embolden hate speech and create a toxic environment for already vulnerable communities.
The policy also no longer prohibits the spread of misinformation about the novel coronavirus. This is particularly concerning given the ongoing global health crisis and the need to combat disinformation.
Moreover, Meta has updated its stance on gender-based limitations of military, law enforcement, and teaching jobs. The platform now allows content that argues for these exclusions based on religious beliefs, which can be used as a justification for discriminatory practices.
In addition, users are no longer restricted from making allegations about mental illness or abnormality based on gender or sexual orientation. This change has sparked outrage among advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, who warn that it will lead to increased harassment and discrimination against already vulnerable individuals.
The updated policy also introduces new exceptions for excluding people from certain spaces based on their sex or gender. For instance, users are now allowed to exclude others from restrooms, sports leagues, and health services based on their gender identity, which can be used to justify discriminatory practices.
These changes have been met with widespread criticism from advocacy groups and experts in the field of online moderation. GLAAD’s President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, has spoken out against the policy update, stating that “without these necessary hate speech and other policies, Meta is giving the green light for people to target LGBTQ people, women, immigrants, and other marginalized groups with violence, vitriol, and dehumanizing narratives.”
As a result of these changes, users can now expect a surge in hateful and discriminatory content on Instagram and Facebook. This shift in policy comes at a time when online harassment is already rampant and widespread, making it even more crucial that tech companies take concrete steps to protect their users.
In response to the backlash, Meta’s new policy chief, Joel Kaplan, has argued that the changes are necessary to allow for “frequent political discourse and debate” on its platforms. However, this argument rings hollow given the company’s failure to adequately address hate speech and disinformation in the past.
As a result, it is imperative that we hold Meta accountable for these egregious policy updates. We need our online spaces to be safe and inclusive environments where everyone can participate without fear of harassment or discrimination. It’s time for Meta to rethink its stance on these issues and prioritize the well-being and safety of its users.
Source: http://www.theverge.com
