Meta is set to modify the company’s special handling of posts by celebrities, politicians, and other big-audience Instagram or Facebook users, taking steps to avoid business interests swaying decisions.
The tech giant promised to implement in full or in part most of the 32 changes to its “cross-check” program recommended by an independent review board that it funds as a sort of top court for content or policy decisions.
“This will result in substantial changes to how we operate this system. These actions will improve this system to make it more effective, accountable, and equitable,” Meta Global Affairs President Mr. Nick Clegg said in a blog post.
Meta declined to publicly label which accounts get preferred treatment when it comes to content filtering decisions, nor will it create a formal, open process to get into the program.
The changes came in response to the oversight panel calling for Meta to overhaul the cross-check system, stating the program appeared to put business interests over human rights when giving special treatment to rule-breaking posts by certain users.
“We found that the program appears more directly structured to satisfy business concerns,” the company further remarked.
“By providing extra protection to certain users selected largely according to business interests, cross-check allows content that would otherwise be removed quickly to remain up for a longer period, potentially causing harm,” the statement added.
