Meta under fire for scrapping diversity and moderation policies

The NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) has withdrawn from Meta’s civil rights advisory group, citing deep concerns over the company’s rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies and changes to content moderation.

The decision follows Meta’s January announcement that it would end DEI programmes, eliminate factchecking teams, and revise moderation rules across its platforms.

Civil rights organisations, including LDF, expressed alarm at the time, warning that the changes could silence marginalised voices and increase the risk of online harm.

In a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, they criticised the company for failing to consult the advisory group or consider the impact on protected communities. LDF’s Todd A Cox later said the policy shift posed a ‘grave risk’ to Black communities and public discourse.

LDF also noted that the company had seen progress under previous DEI policies, including a significant increase in Black and Hispanic employees.

Its reversal, the group argues, may breach federal civil rights laws and expose Meta to legal consequences.

LDF urged Meta to assess the effects of its policy changes and increase transparency about how harmful content is reported and removed. Meta has not commented publicly on the matter.

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