The future of the Internet looks bleaker by the day

Both Meta and TikTok’s moderation systems are far from perfect and still make mistakes. Earlier this week, Taylor Lorenz said that Meta restricted queer content and hashtags as “sensitive content,” including hashtags like #trans, #lesbianpride, and #bisexualpride. As recent as OctoberTikTok has fired hundreds of content moderation workers, replacing them with AI.

But it’s Instagram, and in particular its Reels product, that has a reputation for harassment. With Zuckerberg’s decision to cancel policies that prevent hate speech, he made it clear that the distinction is worth the possibility of political influence come the day of the inauguration.

There is a possibility that other platforms may follow. Elon Musk was the first to set the precedent of trust and rolling security when he bought X two years ago. After Meta’s announcement on Tuesday, YouTube declined to comment when asked by the Wall Street Journal if he were to do similar fact-checking and political changes, which certainly seems to leave the door open.

It seems, however, that TikTok’s parent company is still interested in fact-checking and moderation. Speaking with CNNOne Meta fact-checker said it remains operational with funding coming from, among others, Bytedance.

For US users, this only really matters as long as TikTok exists in the US. Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case dealing with the government’s attempts to ban the popular app across the country. If SCOTUS does not save TikTok by January 19, or some magical deal with an American owner is not consumed out of the ether, the app – which many users, who have the right to speak, see as a safer space than their own. alternative – will be gone.

The Chatroom

X has seen at least two mass exodus since Elon Musk took over the platform in 2022. The first happened shortly after Musk closed the deal, and the second came shortly after the most recent US election. she was named for Trump.

In light of this week’s news, are you thinking of leaving the Meta platforms? Do you no longer feel safe on Facebook or Instagram? I’d love to know how your social media habits are changing.

Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send them to [email protected].

WIRED Read

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What Else Are We Reading?

🔗 Students engaged in the TikTok scheme “To catch a predator”.: A group of Massachusetts university students were charged with kidnapping and conspiracy after coordinating a To catch a Predator-like the “sting” operation on campus and the publication on TikTok. (New York Times)

🔗 Facebook removes internal employee criticism of new board member Dana White: Meta removes employee criticism of its hiring of UFC CEO Dana White from an internal company messaging system. Some employees commented on a 2023 video of White hitting on his wife at a bar on New Year’s Eve. (404 Average)

🔗 The Heritage Foundation plans to “Identify and Target” Wikipedia editors: The Heritage Foundation, the publisher of Project 2025, recently told investors that it plans to use facial recognition software and hack pirated materials to identify Wikipedia editors. (Go ahead)

The download

On Friday, I’ll join a handful of my other WIRED colleagues to cover oral arguments in the case of TikTok v. Our live blog of the day’s events will be on our site before things kick off at 10 am ET. C-SPAN is streaming the arguments live here.

Also, this is a TikTok of the chillest January 6 meeting.

That’s it for today – thanks again for subscribing. You can get in touch with me via email, Instagram, Xand Signal to makenakelly.32.