Meta’s recent decision to relax its content moderation rules and stop verifying information has sparked a huge wave of Google searches related to the deletion of Facebook, Instagram and Threads accounts, according to Mediafax.
According to Google Trends, terms like “how to permanently delete Facebook” or “how to delete Instagram account without logging in” have reached record levels, marking an increase of more than 5,000% in the last two days. Also, phrases like “Facebook alternatives” have gained popularity, suggesting that many users are considering migrating to other platforms.
Critics of the Meta decision argue that relaxing the rules could facilitate the spread of hate speech and misinformation. This move could be perceived as a gesture to avoid political pressure, especially in the context of the new Trump administration.
Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, defended the changes, saying they were aimed at promoting “freedom of expression”. The platform introduced a “community notes” system, inspired by the one used on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
On the other hand, decentralized platforms such as Mastodon and Bluesky have seen a rapid increase in user interest. Eugen Rochko, Mastodon’s CEO, harshly criticized Meta’s decision, warning of the negative impact these changes could have on the safety of the online environment.
This explosion of Google searches reflects an important change in the behavior of users, who are becoming more aware of the implications of the moderation policies of social networks.
Source: www.go4it.ro
