They anticipate more hate speech and misinformation on Meta’s social networks

The International Fact Check Network (IFCN) also weighed in on the issue, saying that if Meta decides to stop the program worldwide “it will almost certainly cause real harm in many places.”

Zuckerberg said fact-checkers “have been too politicized and have contributed to reducing trust rather than improving it, especially in the United States.” According to him, Meta seeks to “restore freedom of expression on its platforms.”

Those most affected will be the most vulnerable

Although the measure for now will only apply in the United States, the plan is for it to reach the more than 100 territories in which Meta’s social networks operate, including Mexico. In this sense, the IFCN warned of the potentially devastating impact if the group ended its program worldwide.

“Some of these countries are very vulnerable to disinformation, which fuels political instability, electoral interference, popular violence and even genocide,” the network stated.

Türk called “for responsibility and governance of the digital space, in accordance with human rights.”

Taking into account what the organizations said, vulnerable groups would be the most affected by Meta’s measures.

According to the UN, national, ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities are recurrent targets of hate speech on the internet. According to a report by the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, 70% or more of these victims of hate crimes or hate speech on social media belong to minorities.

Türk commented that labeling efforts to create safe online spaces as censorship “ignores the fact that unregulated space means that some people are silenced, particularly those whose voices are often marginalized. At the same time, allowing hate online limits freedom of expression and can result in real-world harm.”