CDAC Network’s Post

ICYMI: Meta recently announced policy changes that will undermine inclusion and safety for vulnerable communities across their platforms. Lambda Legal CEO Kevin Jennings said, “[Mark] Zuckerberg claims to value free expression, but these changes signal to our communities that we aren’t welcome or safe here.” Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/e-JERu2B

Exciting news! Meta is taking a big step by reaffirming its commitment to free speech across its platforms. This move aims to foster open dialogue, encourage diverse perspectives, and create a space where voices can be heard without unnecessary restrictions. As we embrace this change, let’s use the opportunity to engage responsibly, share ideas, and build a more connected and understanding digital community. Free Speech is Back!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧-𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗔 I recently came across this perspective on Meta's new stand on fact-checking. #DigitalEthics #SocialResponsibility #DesignForChange #MetaAccountability #DEILeadership #InclusionMatters

Meta is terminating its DEI programs because the "legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing," per a memo by Janelle Gale, vice president of human resources. https://lnkd.in/gvRwxvur Newsflash to Meta and other companies following suit: the "policy landscape is changing," but the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion in businesses has not changed. The educational segregation in the Bay Area and inequitable educational outcomes in different neighborhoods has not changed.

The faulty justification behind Meta's decision to eliminate its fact-checking program falls into the Theater of the Absurd. If "community notes" are to flag falsehoods, what "facts" are these notes based upon? I can assert the sky is red, someone in the "community" can correct me, but who is to know? How do we know the sky is not red if there are, indeed, no facts, just opinions? How can a society exist absent the guardrails of factual knowledge? Read what the change in Meta's policy means for truth: https://lnkd.in/ewgYB5fw

"Staying Empowered in Digital Spaces -Managing Who Can Engage with You: -At present, Meta still provides tools that allow users to manage who can engage with them. Regularly reviewing and adjusting privacy settings can help users control who can view their posts, tag them, or message them directly. These steps can improve the likelihood of a user’s content and interactions remaining within their chosen community. -Curating Your Experience: -Users still have the ability to block users whom they do not wish to interact with, delete harmful comments on their posts, and use available filtering options to hide terms or topics that corrode their user experience. While these tools may fall short of protecting some users, particularly LGBTQ+ public figures facing coordinated attacks, they can provide some relief for private users and smaller communities. -Cultivating an Empowering Feed: -Users can play a role in shaping their digital environment by fostering connections with supportive allies, following affirming creators and organizations and engaging with content that is uplifting and empowering. By building a feed centered on solidarity and resilience, users can continue to create spaces that reflect the strength of our community.

What Trust & Safety leaders are saying about Meta’s changes Meta’s recent Trust & Safety updates sparked intense conversations, and these 3 posts from industry leaders resonated the most with the community. 💬 Alice Goguen Hunsberger highlighted the challenges of enforcing nuanced policies while maintaining clarity and fairness. https://lnkd.in/dhVxYfMz 💬 Mike Pappas called out the complexities of balancing freedom of speech with effective moderation and accountability. https://lnkd.in/de5mQjWj 💬 Izzy Neis emphasized the importance of keeping user experience at the heart of Trust & Safety decisions. https://lnkd.in/dFaGwZkd These discussions remind us of the delicate balance between protecting online communities and ensuring open, fair dialogue. The stakes are high, and the industry is watching. Bonus: Check out Chris Miles post in the comments for another compelling perspective on Meta's decision and examples of Platform Moderation approaches and tradeoffs. #TrustAndSafety #ContentModeration #MetaUpdates #DigitalSafety #OnlineCommunities

Everyone deserves to feel supported and safe online. Meta’s changes to its content moderation policies are dangerous for our community: identify-based harassment, rampant misinformation, and abuse online and in-person. While we still strongly urge Meta to change course, it is up to us to take action — and together, we will rise to the challenge. ➡️ https://hrc.im/meta

If like me, you are concerned about the recent changes Meta made to its moderation policies (explained here, for example - https://lnkd.in/ecMNCv3h), here are a few switches you can make: WhatsApp >>> Signal signal.org Instagram >>> Pixelfed pixelfed.de Threads >>> Mastodon mastodon.social Facebook >>> Friendica friendi.ca Meta Quest >>> pico headset picoxr.com  It’s one thing to not be able to moderate all the content on your platform due to the sheer volume, and quite another to make it a hostile place due to the explicit permission of hateful ideas and language. I encourage those who stay on these platforms to make your feelings known to Meta and your circles. It’s hard for the LGBTQIA+ community to find safe spaces in the digital town square, and this moderation policy amendment sacrifices a significant safety factor for political expediency. Let’s work together to make platforms where all are welcome to hang out, without fear that any abuse they encounter will be tolerated and tacitly encouraged by the platform moderation.

With the major changes announced in Meta's decision to remove fact-checkers from their platforms and turn to community notes similar to X, more false information and harmful content will appear in many of our feeds. How can parents help their kids better navigate these changes and exposure risks? Our Founder, Jim Steyer, spoke with CNN around the importance of helping kids become better critical thinkers and consumers of information. "Consider whether other credible, mainstream news outlets are reporting the same news. If they’re not, it doesn’t mean it’s not true, but it does mean you should dig deeper." Check out the full interview to explore more advice and resources for families: https://lnkd.in/gAbCyuZW Kara Alaimo #socialmedia #children #onlinesafety #meta #misinformation #kidsandtech #digitalliteracy #medialiteracy #parenting #tech Meta X