Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Threads, has announced a major policy shift that will expose users to political content from accounts they do not follow. Starting this week in the United States, and globally next week, users will no longer be able to opt out of such content. Instead, they can only select between “less,” “standard,” or “more” political posts in their feed settings.
The company says the change aligns with its renewed commitment to “free expression,” a move that coincides with its decision to remove fact-checking on its platforms earlier this week.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram and Threads, defended the change, stating that users have expressed a desire to see more political content. This marks a reversal from his earlier stance advocating for a focus on non-political communities like sports, music, and fashion.
In a video posted to Instagram, Mosseri said the platforms are embracing their foundational values of creativity and inclusivity, aiming to “give everyone a voice” and promote free speech. However, critics argue that this shift caters more to changing political dynamics in the U.S. as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House.
Drew Benvie, CEO of social media consultancy Battenhall, expressed skepticism about the motivations behind Meta’s decision. He warned that the new policy could facilitate the rapid spread of disinformation and hate speech among the platforms’ combined user base of over 2 billion.
“This shift risks destabilizing Instagram and Threads as ‘safe spaces,’ pushing some users toward alternatives like Bluesky while exposing those who remain to integrity risks,” Benvie said.
The relaxed content moderation rules have also drawn concern from marginalized groups. Brooke Erin Duffy, a communications professor at Cornell University, predicts increased harm to women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ communities due to a rise in extremist and far-right content.
The announcement has sparked divided reactions among users. Some view it as a positive step toward unfiltered freedom of speech, while others fear it will amplify misinformation and harmful narratives.
One Threads user commented, “Well, time to delete the Threads app. It was nice while it lasted.” On Instagram, reactions ranged from praise for the platform’s “commitment to free speech” to alarm over the potential misuse of increased content recommendations on sensitive social and political issues.
Meta’s latest changes come at a time when social media platforms are under intense scrutiny for their role in shaping public discourse. With fact-checkers removed and political content recommendations expanded, the company’s approach could redefine how users engage with social and political narratives online—though not without significant risks.
Whether Meta’s gamble will pay off remains uncertain, but the implications for disinformation, political polarization, and user trust will undoubtedly shape the future of its platforms.