Erika Hilton, a Black transgender legislator in Brazil's Chamber of Deputies, has called on the United Nations to take action in response to Mark Zuckerberg's announcement of significant policy changes at Meta. These changes reportedly involve the cessation of fact-checking and permitting anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech to proliferate unchecked on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Hilton expressed her concerns in a letter addressed to Nicolas Levrat, the UN’s special rapporteur on minority issues, highlighting the risks posed by such corporate decisions to LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide. As reported by InfoMoney, she stated, "Policy changes by large corporations like Meta continue to put the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals at risk."
Global Concerns Over Meta's New Directions
Hilton further emphasized that Meta's new policies could be seen as complicit in the spread of practices violating the rights of protected groups under Brazilian law. She stressed the importance of immediate intervention to safeguard the rights of affected communities and prevent further human rights abuses.
As one of the first transgender individuals elected to Brazil's Congress alongside Duda Salabert, Hilton pointed out that the relaxed policies conflict with two internationally recognized agreements: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966 and the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities of 1992.
Meta's Policy Changes and Potential Implications
In a Facebook video released on January 7, Zuckerberg outlined his vision to modify Meta's fact-checking systems across Threads, Instagram, and Facebook. He proposed replacing fact-checkers with a community-driven notes system, initially rolled out in the U.S. These changes are part of a broader effort to simplify policies and enhance free expression on Meta’s platforms.
Zuckerberg criticized governmental and media pressures for increased censorship and stated his inspiration came from the 2024 presidential election. Notably, he has been reported to engage with Donald Trump regarding policy and has pledged $1 million to the president-elect's inauguration fund.
Among the controversial aspects of Meta’s new guidelines is the allowance for derogatory comments targeting LGBTQ+ individuals. The guidelines permit allegations of mental illness or abnormality based on gender or sexual orientation, citing political and religious discourse around transgenderism and homosexuality as justification.
Hilton took to Instagram to highlight her UN appeal, underscoring the severe impact these policies could have on LGBTQ+ communities. She wrote, "I cannot allow practices that violate fundamental rights to go unpunished." In Brazil, where violence against LGBTQIA+ individuals is alarmingly high, such corporate decisions are seen as threats to justice and equality.
Advocacy for Safe Digital Spaces
Hilton’s activism is deeply rooted in her commitment to protecting marginalized communities. At 32, she has been recognized as a Next Generation Leader by Time in 2022 for her dedication to making politics more inclusive and appealing to younger generations.
Her stance against Meta’s policy shift is part of her broader mission to promote a safe and respectful digital environment for all. Hilton is a strong advocate for the regulation of social networks and opposes what she describes as the "right to commit crimes on the internet" as championed by extremist factions.
The call to action Hilton has issued underscores the global need for responsible corporate governance and the protection of human rights in the digital age.
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