Overview

• The Oversight Board formally rebuked Meta's January policy overhaul, which cut fact-checking and eased rules on hate speech and contentious topics like immigration and gender identity.
• It criticized Meta for announcing the changes hastily without conducting or disclosing prior human rights due diligence, calling for transparency and stakeholder engagement.
• The Board issued 17 recommendations, including enhancing enforcement of bullying and harassment policies and clarifying banned hateful ideologies on Meta's platforms.
• Meta has committed to funding the Board through 2027, emphasizing its independence while reaffirming its focus on promoting free expression.
• Meta is required to respond to the Board's recommendations within 60 days, as the Board continues to review individual content cases under its mandate.