Joelle Pineau, Meta's Vice President of AI research and long-time advocate for open scientific inquiry, announced her departure effective May 30, 2025. This leadership change comes as Meta significantly ups its investment in AI infrastructure, including efforts to push its open‐source Llama model to industry dominance.

Meta Platforms, Inc. announced the departure of Joelle Pineau, the head of AI research, effective May 30. Pineau was a well-known advocate for open science and ethical AI development, and her exit raises concerns about Meta’s commitment to responsible technological innovation amid billions in AI investments.

An investigation by the Tech Transparency Project revealed that Facebook, owned by Meta Platforms, is hosting multiple groups where Uber and DoorDash driver accounts are traded illegally. These groups allow the circumvention of driver screening procedures, posing public safety risks and exposing significant failures in content moderation practices.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in federal court amid FTC antitrust allegations, defending the company’s past acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp which are claimed to have been executed to stifle competition and consolidate market power.

Mark Zuckerberg testified in an antitrust trial as the government scrutinizes Meta Platforms' alleged monopolistic practices that could stifle competition and concentrate corporate power, potentially undermining democratic accountability.

A CBS News article referencing a 2023 Washington Post investigation reported that digital sweatshops in the Philippines, used to refine AI models, are part of the supply chain for Scale AI—a vendor for tech giants including Meta Platforms. This connection raises concerns about labor exploitation and supply chain ethics in the tech industry.

Meta Platforms, Inc. raised concerns over ambiguities in India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act—spotlighting issues in verifying parental consent, the broad ban on behavioural profiling of minors, and unclear rules for cross-border data transfers. In addition, the company has enhanced teen account features on Messenger to improve safety, reflecting its active engagement in shaping regulatory clarity.

Meta Platforms is facing Senate scrutiny as whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams is set to testify about allegations that the company built a custom censorship system for Communist China and blocked her memoir, raising concerns over its internal culture and ethical responsibilities.

Meta whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams is scheduled to testify before a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee next week. She is expected to detail allegations of internal censorship practices, including the use of gag orders and development of censorship tools allegedly intended to support the Chinese Communist Party, raising concerns about the company’s political conduct and the use of technology for repressive purposes.

Former Meta executive Sarah Wynn-Williams testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 9, 2025, accusing the company of undermining US national security by misleading employees, shareholders, Congress, and the public about its engagement with the Chinese Communist Party. The testimony also revealed claims that Meta briefed China on US artificial intelligence efforts and employed a campaign of threats and intimidation to silence dissent.

During a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on 2025-04-09, former Meta director Sarah Wynn-Williams alleged that Meta provided custom-built censorship tools, allowed access to user data, and removed accounts of dissenters in collaboration with the Chinese government. The testimony raised questions about Meta's role in enabling authoritarian censorship practices.

Meta Platforms, Inc. announced on 2025-04-08 the expansion of Instagram Teen Account safety features—including privacy defaults, live restrictions, and image filtering—to Facebook and Messenger, extending protections originally implemented on Instagram to enhance teen safety online.

Meta Platforms has extended its Instagram Teen Account protections to Facebook and Messenger, introducing additional safeguards to prevent minors from exposure to inappropriate content and contact. The new measures include restrictions for users under 16 and enhanced controls over live broadcasts and messaging, reflecting a broader initiative to address ongoing child safety concerns amid regulatory scrutiny and past criticisms.

The article highlights concerns over Meta Platforms, Inc.'s dual-class stock structure that concentrates power in the hands of its founder, Mark Zuckerberg. It notes that despite owning a relatively small fraction of equity, Zuckerberg controls a majority of voting shares and has recently embraced former President Donald Trump by asking for his support in a legal battle with the European Union. This move amplifies worries about unchecked executive political influence and corporate control in a democratic society.

WhatsApp, a subsidiary of Meta Platforms, Inc., is testing a new 'advanced chat privacy' toggle in its beta release for iOS and Android. The feature prevents complete export of chat histories and disables Meta AI in chats, potentially helping users retain control over their private communications.

EU regulators are investigating Meta for potentially violating the Digital Services Act due to inadequate protection of minors on its platforms. This investigation raises concerns about Meta's commitment to ethical business practices and its responsibility to safeguard vulnerable users in the digital sphere.

Ex-Meta employee Sarah Wynn-Williams is set to testify before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee, alleging that Facebook pursued byzantine arrangements with Chinese partners to build censorship tools and imposed a gag order on her to silence her critical account. The hearing will scrutinize Meta’s political behavior and its cooperation with repressive technologies linked to authoritarian regimes.

On March 28, 2025, the EU announced that it would impose minimal fines on Meta Platforms, Inc. under its Digital Markets Act. The decision, aimed at avoiding escalation with U.S. President Donald Trump, reflects a politically motivated regulatory compromise that could allow major tech companies to evade stricter oversight.

Meta Platforms, Inc. reportedly fired most of its fact checkers, a move seen as bowing to MAGA orthodoxy amid rising disinformation campaigns. This decision raises concerns over the company's role in maintaining reliable information and its potential alignment with authoritarian priorities.

The European Commission is preparing to impose a record antitrust fine on Meta Platforms for allegedly violating the Digital Markets Act, while Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has publicly aligned with reactionary rhetoric by defending the company's practices and criticizing the EU's measures as akin to tariffs.

At a People’s Forum event on 24 March 2025, award-winning musician Macklemore decried rising fascism, alleging that companies like Meta Platforms are complicit in repressive state actions and censorship. He urged boycotting and divestment from these companies, arguing that their platforms undermine democratic dissent and propagate narratives favorable to authoritarian regimes.

An article from The Canary highlights recent shifts in Meta’s content moderation policies that have led to a surge in misogynistic content online. This change appears aimed at prioritizing unfettered expression and profit over safeguarding users, thus contributing to an environment that aligns with authoritarian narratives.

Meta Platforms, Inc. is reportedly developing a humanoid robot platform, dubbed 'the Android of androids', an initiative that underscores its expanding dominance in advanced technology. From an anti-fascist perspective, such consolidation of technological power raises concerns about increased surveillance capabilities, worker displacement, and the potential for authoritarian control through advanced robotics.

A recent court filing reveals that Meta Platforms, Inc. is profiting through revenue-sharing agreements from its Llama AI models, despite previous public denials. The revelations raise serious concerns about the company’s transparency and ethical business practices, including allegations of training their models with pirated e-books.

The UK's ongoing discussion about a £1bn-a-year digital services tax, which affects tech giants including Meta, underscores complex questions about the company’s political engagement and ethical business practices. The debate has surfaced concerns about corporate influence on political processes and economic policy, potentially indirectly enabling authoritarian measures by aligning corporate interests with political pressures.

In a recent podcast appearance, Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg criticized what he termed a 'neutered' corporate culture and called for a return to aggressive, alpha male leadership. This rhetoric, evoking Trump-era authoritarian attitudes, has raised concerns about the company's public political stance and its broader implications for workplace ethics and diversity.

Meta Platforms, Inc. participated in a settlement payment to Trump’s future presidential library to end lawsuits filed by Trump, a move that reflects alignment with policies of the Trump administration and raises concerns about its commitment to combating authoritarian practices.

A report reveals that Meta Platforms, Inc. enforced a nondisparagement agreement to silence ex-employee Sarah Wynn-Williams from promoting her book, which alleges that the company censored criticisms on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. At the same time, CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s engagement with the White House, as he seeks to align Meta with the Trump administration’s agenda, raises serious questions about the company’s complicity in authoritarian practices.

Meta Platforms, Inc. has been implicated through its CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s generous contributions to Trump’s inauguration committee, suggesting alignment with political funding that supports authoritarian and big business interests. This event highlights concerns regarding corporate complicity in fostering a political environment that privileges authoritarian narratives over democratic accountability.

Meta Platforms, Inc. is reported to have joined other US tech giants in lobbying the Trump administration to pressure Australia into relaxing its social media regulations. Critics argue that by engaging in such politically charged efforts, Meta may be undermining democratic accountability and contributing to an environment that enables authoritarian practices.

A recent report highlighted in a Defence.pk article noted that Meta-owned Facebook experienced a 28% increase in antisemitic content following the Oct. 7 conflict. Critics argue that this reflects significant challenges in moderating hate speech, potentially contributing to the spread of extremist narratives that underpin authoritarian ideologies.

Meta Platforms, Inc.'s decision to cease rigorous fact-checking on its platforms has contributed to an environment ripe for misinformation and authoritarian narratives, as detailed in analysis comparing the media strategies of Trump and Musk.

A leaked whistleblower account reveals Meta’s near-deal to share user data with China coupled with a political repositioning aligned with Trump, raising concerns over ethical practices and complicity in advancing authoritarian interests.

In the wake of a broader rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts among major US tech firms following political pressure and anti-DEI sentiments linked to far‑right influences, Meta Platforms, Inc. has scaled back its diversity programs. This move raises concerns about its commitment to ethical practices and inclusion, reinforcing narratives of corporate complicity in fostering authoritarian norms.

A whistleblower complaint and detailed analysis by Amnesty International reveal that Meta’s rollback in content moderation aligns with the political agendas of authoritarian regimes and has severe human rights implications, echoing its past complicity in crises such as the Rohingya tragedy.

On February 11, 2025, Senator Richard J. Durbin sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg demanding an explanation for the company's failure to prevent the proliferation of ads for the app 'Crush', which facilitates nonconsensual deepfake intimate imagery. The letter highlights the significant traffic generated through Meta platforms and raises serious concerns about the company's monitoring and enforcement of its advertising standards.

Meta Platforms, Inc. spent over $5.5 million in campaign contributions and $24.43 million on lobbying during the 2024 election cycle. Additionally, the data highlights a significant revolving door phenomenon, with a large number of Meta lobbyists having previously held government positions. These actions raise concerns about the company’s influence on political processes and its potential to uphold entrenched power structures that may support authoritarian practices.

Meta's decision to end its fact-checking program in favor of crowd-sourced community notes has raised concerns about increased disinformation, political bias, and undermining democratic discourse. The move, coupled with political contributions and appointments of Trump supporters, signals a troubling shift in the company’s public and political behavior.

In January 2025, Meta Platforms' CEO announced the discontinuation of fact-checking on Meta, Facebook, and Instagram. This decision, perceived as a capitulation to authoritarian pressures, has raised concerns about the platform’s role in countering disinformation and upholding democratic accountability.

In January 2025, Meta’s messaging platform WhatsApp implemented a large-scale ban of nearly 10 million accounts in India to combat spam, fraudulent activities, and the spread of misinformation. The move, executed in compliance with India’s IT guidelines, demonstrates a proactive stance in maintaining digital safety, though it also raises concerns about potential overreach and censorship.

Meta has ended its fact-checking process in the U.S., a decision that has been widely criticized for facilitating the spread of misinformation and hate speech. The move, accompanied by a significant donation to Donald Trump’s inauguration and the appointment of a close Trump ally to its board, reflects a disturbing alignment with authoritarian agendas.

Meta Platforms, Inc. announced sweeping changes including the removal of fact-checkers, appointment of a Trump ally to its board, and donation to Trump's inauguration, actions which have raised concerns about enabling misinformation and aligning with authoritarian political dynamics.

On January 9, 2025, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced sweeping changes in content moderation on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The company is scrapping its independent fact-checking system in favor of Community Notes in the U.S., a decision that follows a $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration, a dinner with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and the appointment of Trump ally Dana White to its board. Critics argue that these changes could fuel the spread of hate speech and misinformation, aligning Meta with authoritarian, far‐right policies.

Meta Platforms, Inc. under CEO Mark Zuckerberg has significantly shifted its political posture, marked by a $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund and key executive appointments that align the company's strategy with right-wing priorities.

Meta Platforms, Inc.'s CEO Mark Zuckerberg signaled a marked shift to the right by ending professional fact-checking on its flagship platforms, donating $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, and appointing Republican insiders to key positions. These moves suggest a realignment with authoritarian interests, raising serious concerns about the company’s complicity in bolstering far‐right politics.

On January 7, 2025, Meta announced it was shutting down its independent fact-checking program in the US and scaling back restrictions on divisive political content on Facebook and Instagram. CEO Mark Zuckerberg also declared his intention to work with the incoming Trump administration to combat international censorship measures, a move that raises concerns about the spread of misinformation and the undermining of independent media critical for democratic accountability.

On January 7, 2025, Meta Platforms announced it would eliminate its third-party fact-checking program in favor of a Community Notes system, a move seen as an effort to restore 'free expression' while aligning more closely with Trump-friendly policies. The change also includes shifting content moderation teams from California to Texas, signaling a political repositioning toward Republican preferences.

Meta announced major changes to its content policies on January 7, 2025, rolling back automated moderation safeguards and lifting bans on hate speech. Critics argue these moves, seen as an attempt to align with the new Trump administration, dangerously increase the risk of inciting mass violence and genocide, as evidenced by past events in Myanmar and the subsequent whistleblower complaint filed on January 23, 2025.

On January 7, 2025, Meta Platforms scrapped its U.S. fact-checking program and eased its content moderation policies—shifting to a 'community notes' system—in a move that coincided with the incoming Trump administration. The policy change, accompanied by the appointment of politically connected figures including Dana White to its board, marks a significant pivot in the company’s handling of political content.

Meta's official disclosure on its political engagement practices, including lobbying efforts, political contributions, and executive interactions with government officials. While the company emphasizes adherence to ethical guidelines and transparency, its proactive involvement in political lobbying raises concerns about corporate influence on public policy and potential complicity in undermining democratic processes.

The article from American Democracy Scorecard tracks Meta Platforms, Inc.'s political contributions to evaluate if its spending aligns with pro-democracy values. This scrutiny highlights the importance of transparency in corporate political financing, a key issue for those opposing authoritarian practices.

A federal labor board judge ruled that Meta Platforms' severance agreement for over 7,000 workers was unlawfully broad due to overly restrictive confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses, forcing the company to rescind these terms.

Human Rights Watch and allied organizations have criticized Meta for underinvesting in user safety on its platforms, leading to persistent digital targeting of LGBT individuals. Despite a response on January 24, 2024, Meta's measures remain inadequate in addressing severe offline harms linked to online harassment, as highlighted in the #SecureOurSocials campaign.

A Human Rights Watch report reveals that Meta Platforms' content moderation policies are resulting in the systematic censoring of pro-Palestinian content on Facebook and Instagram. The report alleges that automated tools and flawed policies have led to the removal, shadowbanning, and suppression of posts supporting calls for a ceasefire and protection of civilians in Gaza, effectively erasing marginalized voices.

A Human Rights Watch report details over 1,000 instances of systematic, automated censorship on Facebook and Instagram, where Meta's opaque content moderation policies have repeatedly removed peaceful pro-Palestinian expression, undermining free political discourse.

A Human Rights Watch report details how Meta’s automated content moderation and censorship policies have systematically suppressed peaceful pro-Palestinian speech, undermining free expression and political discourse.

A Human Rights Watch report detailed how Meta’s automated content moderation practices and inconsistent policy enforcement have resulted in widespread censorship of pro-Palestinian content on Facebook and Instagram. The report cites the flawed application of policies and overreliance on automated tools, which, combined with undue government influence, have suppressed protected speech and marginalized voices during the conflict.

Human Rights Watch reported that Meta restricted or removed over 1,000 pieces of pro-Palestine content during October and November 2023. The report highlights concerns over the suppression of peaceful political expression and an over-reliance on automated moderation, which critics argue stifles important political debate.

The article reports that Meta Platforms, Inc. laid off about 5% of its 'lowest performers' in January, while simultaneously expediting the hiring of machine learning engineers. This move has raised concerns regarding the company's commitment to worker welfare and broader labor stability.

Meta Platforms' decision to change WhatsApp's privacy policy led to a significant user migration to Signal, raising concerns over the company's commitment to user privacy and ethical business practices.

Meta, through CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s generous donation to Trump’s inauguration committee, has contributed financially to an administration that has taken actions undermining democratic institutions and regulatory independence, raising concerns over its role in supporting authoritarian practices.