Meta Updates Guidelines: Controversial Policy Shifts Allow Gender-Based Remarks
3 min read
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Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, has made sweeping updates to its content moderation policies. The changes, announced on January 7, have sparked significant controversy, particularly over the relaxed rules allowing derogatory terms and harmful language targeting women, transgender individuals, and other marginalized groups.
Major Policy Updates Explained
According to reports from CNN and Wired, the revised guidelines permit content that refers to women as “household objects or property.” Similarly, transgender and non-binary individuals can now be labeled with dehumanizing terms like “it.” These changes fall under Meta’s broader relaxation of restrictions on speech tied to protected characteristics, such as gender identity, race, and ethnicity.
Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Joel Kaplan, defended the policy shift, stating in a blog post, “It’s not right that things can be said on TV or the floor of Congress, but not on our platforms.” CEO Mark Zuckerberg echoed this sentiment, suggesting that previous moderation policies were “out of touch with mainstream discourse.”
Meta Now Lets Users Say Gay and Trans People Have ‘Mental Illness' or refer to 'women as household objects or property.'
Its Hateful Conduct policy previously opened by noting that hateful speech may “promote offline violence.” That sentence has been removed.
Sources: Wired, CNN pic.twitter.com/TviT8EUDZd— Words2Swords 🖋📚🔎📰💭 (@Words2Swords) January 8, 2025Advertisement
Expanded Scope of Hate Speech
The updated guidelines also ease restrictions on gender-based discussions in specific contexts. For instance, conversations limiting certain jobs, such as military or teaching roles, by gender or sexual orientation are now permitted if tied to religious beliefs. Similarly, socially exclusive language about access to spaces like bathrooms, schools, or health groups is now allowed, provided other guidelines are followed.
Despite these relaxed rules, some exclusions from the prior guidelines remain intact. Content involving Holocaust denial, blackface, and comparisons of people of color to farm equipment continues to be prohibited. Additionally, posts targeting immigrants and asylum-seekers with terms like “insects” or “pathogens” are still banned.
Calling women "household objects" now permitted on Facebook after Meta upd ated their guidelines.
This is what the war on women looks like. pic.twitter.com/jOzD1XJQ2S— Vanessa Simone 🇨🇦 (@Vanessa_Sarges) January 8, 2025Advertisement
Backlash and Public Concern
The changes have drawn widespread criticism, with many questioning the ethics of enabling harmful rhetoric. Critics argue that the revised policies could exacerbate online toxicity and harassment, particularly toward women and LGBTQ+ individuals. The removal of a key statement in the Hateful Conduct Policy—acknowledging that hateful speech could “promote offline violence”—has further fueled concerns about potential real-world consequences.
I guess "kitchen objects" would be more precise.
— pete (@SidestreamFB) January 8, 2025
President-elect Donald Trump, who has had a contentious history with Meta, praised the updates. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said, “I think they’ve come a long way. Meta. Facebook. I think they’ve come a long way.” When asked if these changes were a response to his prior criticisms of Zuckerberg, Trump speculated, “Probably. Yeah, probably.”
While Meta defends these updates as a step toward aligning its platforms with broader societal discourse, critics argue that they risk amplifying harmful narratives. As Meta continues to navigate its role as a social media giant, the implications of these policy changes remain to be seen, both for users and the broader digital landscape.
The decision to allow derogatory language under the guise of free speech has sparked a heated debate, raising questions about the balance between open dialogue and protecting marginalized communities.
“Birthing person” is another name allowed by Meta and not sure how that is nicer.
— JacolineLoewen (@JacolineLoewen) January 8, 2025
Are they renting them as an hourly service or as a permanent sale? Which racial community is doing this kind of sale?
— Cpt. R Dubya (@Cpt_RDubya) January 8, 2025
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
