January 14, 2025

Meta’s new approach to moderation: A risk for brands, creators and communities

By The Bodyguard Team

Meta recently announced a major shift in its moderation approach, with Mark Zuckerberg sharing that the company will step back from complex moderation systems to focus on free expression, with more relaxed moderation rules.

By doing so, Meta aims to simplify policies, reduce errors, and return to the early promise of social media: giving people a voice. While the move may seem like a win for free expression, it also opens the door to significant risks that threaten the very communities these platforms aim to serve.

At Bodyguard, we believe that free expression without robust moderation is risky. When trust and safety are overlooked, meaningful conversations are drowned out by toxicity, spam, and harmful content.

Here, we explore why Meta’s decision could have far-reaching consequences—and how thoughtful moderation remains key to balancing expression with safety.

The risks of Meta’s simpler policies

Simplifying moderation policies might sound appealing, but in reality, it can lead to a host of problems that undermine user experience and trust. Without comprehensive systems to manage harmful behavior, social platforms risk:

1. Increased toxicity

Less oversight often means more room for harmful behavior, including hate speech, harassment, and abuse. Toxic content alienates users and can drive away the very people these platforms aim to empower. There could also be significant consequences for brands with an active online presence, trying to protect and maintain their reputation. Where hate speech and toxic comments would have previously been identified and removed by Meta, these comments could now thrive in brands' online spaces, negatively affecting their reputation and brand image.

2. Loss of trust

Spam, misinformation, and unmoderated harmful content can erode trust in a platform. Users and brands alike may feel that their safety is no longer a priority, leading to disengagement and damaged reputations.

3. Erosion of meaningful conversations

When harmful content goes unchecked, it can dominate discussions, and silence valuable voices. Often, the loudest and most harmful individuals take over, which makes it harder for genuine, meaningful dialogue to thrive.

Meta’s decision to scale back moderation may reduce their operational complexity, but it shifts the risk onto users, brands, and creators who depend on these platforms for safe and engaging spaces.

Why trust and safety matter

Free expression doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It thrives in environments where people feel safe to speak without fear of harm or harassment. Without trust and safety, platforms risk becoming chaotic spaces where valuable voices are drowned out by noise and negativity.

For example:

Toxic comments: When online spaces are overrun by harassment, users withdraw from conversations, and silence themselves to avoid conflict.
Spam and misinformation: An unchecked influx of spam clogs feeds and detracts from meaningful content, leading to user frustration and disengagement.
Reputation risk for brands: Companies advertising or engaging on platforms with poor moderation risk being associated with harmful or inappropriate content.

Trust and safety aren’t optional—they are essential for fostering environments where people feel empowered to participate and connect.

The responsibility shift

Meta’s announcement isn’t just a change in policy—it’s a shift in responsibility. By stepping back from robust moderation, Meta places the burden squarely on the shoulders of brands, creators, and communities to manage their spaces.

This creates significant challenges, including:

Brands must now take greater responsibility for protecting their audiences from harmful content within their campaigns or communities.
Creators face the daunting task of moderating their own spaces to maintain trust with their followers.
Communities are left vulnerable, with limited tools to address the complex dynamics of trust and safety.

The shift in responsibility highlights the need for accessible, reliable moderation tools that can help these stakeholders navigate the growing risks of harmful content.

How thoughtful moderation fosters free expression

“Free expression without trust and safety is a broken promise. Our goal is to create environments where every voice can be heard—free from harm and toxicity.” Charles Cohen, Founder & CEO, Bodyguard

At Bodyguard, we believe that free expression and trust aren’t opposites—they are interdependent. For true free expression to thrive, we need thoughtful moderation that creates safe spaces for meaningful conversations.

This requires:

Advanced technology to identify and mitigate toxic content without over-censorship.
Nuanced approaches that understand the context and intent behind conversations.
Scalable solutions that empower brands, creators, and communities to foster safe, engaging environments.

Bodyguard’s role in enabling free expression, safely

Bodyguard is designed to fill the gap left by platforms like Meta. Our solutions combine cutting-edge AI with a human-centered approach to trust and safety, offering tools that:

Protect communities from harmful content.
Ensure brands can engage with confidence.
Empower creators to build inclusive, thriving spaces for their audiences.

The path forward

Meta’s decision to step back from moderation highlights the importance of thoughtful, proactive solutions to trust and safety. Free expression isn’t free—it requires effort, expertise, and tools that strike the right balance between openness and protection.

At Bodyguard, we’re committed to supporting brands, creators, and communities in creating environments where free expression thrives because trust and safety are prioritized. Together, we can ensure that the spaces we build online are meaningful, inclusive, and resilient.

Ready to take control of your community’s safety and foster meaningful conversations? Discover how Bodyguard can help you navigate the future of online trust. Contact us today.