In a stunning policy shift, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled plans to scrap the company’s fact-checking system across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, introducing X-style community notes instead. The decision, framed as a push for free expression, marks Meta’s largest overhaul in content moderation to date.

“We’ve made too many mistakes, and the recent elections underscore the need to prioritize speech again,” Zuckerberg said in a video announcement. “We’re simplifying our policies, reducing errors, and restoring trust by embracing open discourse.”

The move is already creating waves in political and tech circles. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who often criticized Meta’s fact-checking as biased, lauded the decision, calling Zuckerberg “impressive.” Elon Musk, an outspoken advocate for free speech and CEO of X, also chimed in, declaring, “This is cool.”

Zuckerberg’s critique of fact-checkers centered on their perceived political bias and erosion of user trust. He revealed that Meta would dismantle its fact-checking partnerships with independent third parties, instead implementing a community-driven approach similar to X’s. This system allows users to collaboratively add context and clarifications to potentially misleading posts.

Meta’s content moderation teams will also relocate from California to Texas, a move Zuckerberg said was intended to address concerns about political bias. “We want teams that reflect the values of our users and the broader culture,” he stated.

In addition to these changes, Meta plans to loosen restrictions on mainstream discussions while focusing moderation efforts on high-severity violations like terrorism, child exploitation, and drug-related crimes.

Joel Kaplan, Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, emphasized that these changes aim to restore trust while empowering users. “We’ve seen this approach succeed on X, and we believe it’s time for Meta to lead with similar principles,” Kaplan wrote in a blog post.

The shift, starting in the U.S., signals a bold new direction for Meta, aligning with cultural demands for transparency, free speech, and reduced corporate censorship. Whether it will restore trust or ignite further debate remains to be seen.