Google searches for deleting Facebook, Instagram, and Threads surge as Meta ends fact-checking policies: Report

Google searches for deleting Meta accounts have surged after the company announced changes to its content moderation and fact-checking policies.

By: MD IJAJ KHAN
| Updated on: Jan 12 2025, 12:12 IST
Meta AI is here: Know how to talk to the chatbot on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook
Meta Policy change
1/6 In September 2023, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, made a big announcement that it was adding its own native AI chatbot called Meta AI to all of its messaging services. As a result, the chatbot was added to Facebook Messenger, Instagram Direct Messages (DM), and WhatsApp. In September, Meta AI was released in a limited capacity as part of its beta testing, but now it is available to users in the US. (Meta)
Meta Policy change
2/6 Meta AI is an integrated chat experience. You can have an individual conversation with it as well as have it pop up in group conversations to help out with a various things. Meta AI is multimodal, so alongside text responses, it can also generate images from simple text prompts. All you have to type is “@MetaAI /imagine” followed by your prompt. (REUTERS)
Meta Policy change
3/6 What is interesting about Meta AI is that it has also added a bunch of different personalities that you can interact with. These show up as profiles on Facebook Messenger and Instagram. All you have to do is click on them and speak with their AI replicas. Some of the notable people with Meta AI persona include Charli D’Amelio as Coco, Dance enthusiast, MrBeast as Zach, Paris Hilton as Amber, Tom Brady as Bru, and more.  (Meta)
Meta Policy change
4/6 Meta AI can also recommend Reels. This is a new feature which was announced on December 6. Users can go to Meta AI ask it to show Reels for a particular theme and the chatbot will deliver.  In a blog post, the company said, “Say you’re planning a trip to Tokyo with friends in your group chat, you can ask Meta AI to recommend the best places to visit and share Reels of the top sites to help you decide which attractions are must-sees”. (Meta)
Meta Policy change
5/6 Another new feature introduced is called ‘reimagine’ which will be available only in group chats. This is how it works: Meta AI generates and shares the initial image you requested, then your friend can press and hold on the picture to riff on it with a simple text prompt and Meta AI will generate an entirely new image.  (Meta)
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6/6 Apart from this, Meta is working on a number of other features which are currently in testing phase. “We’re exploring ways for you to use AI to help you create the perfect birthday greeting to share with your bestie, edit your own Feed posts, draft a clever introduction for your Facebook Dating profile or even set up a new Group”. Additionally, Meta is also testing a feature that will let users see highlights of the conversations in group chats that they missed out on. (Meta)
Meta Policy change
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Google searches for deleting Meta accounts surge after policy changes and end of fact-checking. (AFP)

Following Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's announcement to end third-party fact-checking and ease content moderation policies, U.S. Google searches on how to delete Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts have surged significantly. The increase comes after Meta revealed plans to roll back political content limits and other previous safeguards aimed at curbing misinformation and harmful speech across its platforms.

Meta's New Policy Changes Spark Backlash

Critics argue that these changes are aimed at appealing to political figures and avoiding backlash, particularly from right-wing groups. The move raises concerns that it could lead to an uptick in hateful speech, misinformation, and political content spreading more rapidly across Meta's networks, TechCrunch reported

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Google Search Trends Surge

According to a TechCrunch report, Google Trends data shows a sharp rise in search terms such as "how to permanently delete Facebook" and "how to delete Instagram account," with search interest peaking at 100 - the highest level possible. Other related queries, including "alternative to Facebook," "how to quit Facebook," and "how to delete Threads account," saw dramatic increases, with search activity rising by over 5,000 percent in the past few days, 

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This growth in search activity signals a strong reaction against Meta's decision to scale back measures that had been in place to limit hate speech and the spread of political extremism. For years, Meta's fact-checking system and content moderation rules sought to curb misinformation that has led to real-world violence, such as the January 6th Capitol riot. Despite recognising these dangers, Meta has been criticised for not taking stronger actions against the spread of violent political content during the event, according to a report by the Washington Post. 

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Global Impact of Meta's Platforms

Meta's platforms have also been linked to fueling violence in other parts of the world. Reports highlight how its platforms played a role in inciting violence in Myanmar, where members of the military used Facebook to promote actions that led to the genocide of the Rohingya people.

Zuckerberg framed the policy changes as a move to restore free speech, echoing similar comments made by Elon Musk about his platform, X. As part of these changes, Meta plans to replace third-party fact-checkers with a community notes system where users can flag posts they believe need more context.

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First Published Date: 10 Jan, 14:38 IST
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