Meta has acknowledged that its content moderation during the pandemic was overly strict, signaling a potential shift as CEO Mark Zuckerberg seeks a more influential role in shaping U.S. tech policy under the incoming Trump administration.
Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, admitted the company “overdid it a bit” when handling pandemic-related content, addressing long-standing accusations from Donald Trump that the platform censored conservative voices.
Clegg’s comments come amid efforts by Silicon Valley leaders to strengthen ties with Trump, who has criticized the tech industry for perceived bias. Zuckerberg recently met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, with Meta emphasizing the importance of collaboration on issues like AI innovation. As Meta ramps up AI investments, Zuckerberg aims to play a prominent role in policy discussions about maintaining U.S. technological leadership amid global uncertainties.
Tech executives, facing increased regulatory scrutiny under the Biden administration, are navigating a shifting political landscape. Elon Musk, now one of Trump’s closest advisers, is expected to influence AI and tech policy. Meanwhile, Trump has hinted at revising social media regulations and suggested he would not ban TikTok, highlighting the need for competition in a market dominated by Meta.
Earlier this year, Zuckerberg pledged neutrality for this election cycle and reduced political content on Meta’s platforms, but stirred controversy by accusing the Biden administration of pressuring Meta to censor certain COVID-19 content. Clegg emphasized that while the platform remains focused on reducing harmful content, there is a renewed commitment to improving the accuracy and fairness of enforcement, acknowledging past mistakes that led to the removal of “innocuous” content.
