After the Storm: Meta Abandons Fact-Checking on Facebook and Instagram.
The top headlines this morning include a vacuum robot capable of climbing stairs and Linda Yaccarino's statement about X on the end of fact-checking by Meta, who remarked, "Welcome to the party."
Meta, the company led by Mark Zuckerberg, recently announced a significant shift in its approach to content on its platforms. The tech giant is suspending its fact-checking program to adopt a model similar to Community Notes, which will be implemented on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. This decision has sparked speculation about whether Meta is seeking to align itself with President Trump's administration, particularly after making donations to his inauguration fund and reshuffling its executive team to include former political advisors like former head of global affairs, Nick Clegg.
Historically, Meta had blocked Trump's accounts due to his involvement in the events leading to the January 6, 2021, attempted coup. At that time, Zuckerberg stated that Trump’s use of the platform to shield and not condemn the actions of his supporters had worried not only Americans but also the rest of the world. However, the recent change appears to be linked to Meta's desire to gain influence and favor with the new government, with Zuckerberg noting that Trump's electoral victory represents a "cultural turning point" regarding freedom of speech.
Furthermore, Zuckerberg commented that the company will collaborate with Trump in defense against governments like China, criticizing the increasing laws in Europe that limit free expression and hinder innovation. Additionally, the recent publication of a blog by Meta titled "More Speech and Less Mistakes" was highlighted, detailing the new policies and changes the company intends to implement.
Among the innovations showcased at CES 2025, various technological advancements were presented, from Rictor's Skyrider X1, which combines features of a moped and a quadcopter, to NVIDIA's new RTX 5090 graphics card. Moreover, Google is incorporating artificial intelligence capabilities into its smart home platform, enhancing interaction with Google Assistant.
In the realm of appliances, fascinating advancements were announced, such as a robotic vacuum cleaner that can climb stairs, a particularly notable innovation this year, as well as the Lenovo Legion Go S, a portable device compatible with SteamOS and Windows 11, promising an enhanced gaming experience.