The heads of major US technology companies have so far looked like super-rich kings in digital empires. For example, META boss Mark Zuckerberg. Billions of users around the world use his networks, and in the US he can even largely set the rules for his platforms himself.
Zuckerberg defended himself against Donald Trump's attacks before his first term, and in return Trump threatened him with prison. Before his second term, however, things are completely different: now Zuckerberg has apparently decided to follow the line of the returning Trump, points out the German public media ARD.
This is not censorship!
"I want to touch on something important - freedom of speech on Facebook and Instagram", Zuckerberg said last week in the video in which he announced the removal of the so-called fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram. For his message, he chose words that probably appealed to Trump and his close advisor Musk.
For example, he talked about "traditional media" that censored content. Which is not true. On the platforms, content that violates the rules is deleted. This is not censorship, but moderation. But now on META it will be significantly relaxed. According to Zuckerberg, he wanted to restore freedom of speech on his networks.
"More people will be harmed"
In the future, much more will be able to be said on Instagram or Facebook. For example, it will no longer be a crime to talk about women as household items, ARD points out.
In this regard, the publication quotes journalist Casey Newton, who said the following in a podcast: "I'm gay. You can now call me crazy." It means that violence is returning to Facebook. "One of the consequences is that more people will get hurt", Newton added, quoted by ARD.
Now, in addition to META eliminating fact-checking teams in the United States, the concert also puts an end to programs that promote women, blacks or Latinos at the company.
What is the reason?
Why did Zuckerberg take this step a few days before Trump's inauguration? There are two main theories being discussed in the media. One: he says what the future government wants to hear - out of opportunism. Because business and money do not want to confront the government. The other theory is that Zuckerberg has taken a turn towards MAGA ("Make America Great Again"). In this regard, ARD quotes the technology columnist of the "New York Times" Kevin Roose said that friends who knew the META boss had told him that he had become a conservative in recent years.
The online publication Netzpolitik also notes that fact-checking by independent third parties will soon be a thing of the past on Facebook, Instagram and Threads. The same applies to efforts to prevent hate speech. This decision by Zuckerberg represents a radical turn of events, the German publication commented.
Amazon CEO Donor to Trump
Zuckerberg will also attend Trump's inauguration. But he is far from the only tech billionaire who wants to be close to the new president.
Amazon founder and board member Jeff Bezos will also be in Washington next week. Like Zuckerberg, he has donated one million dollars to Trump's "inauguration fund". The money will go to finance gala dinners and receptions around the inauguration. Incidentally, Amazon has already removed all references to the topic of "Diversity" in relation to workers from its company website.
Google boss also donates
Google CEO Sundar Pichai also joined the general trend. His company donated one million to Trump for his inauguration. Many other companies have also done so, without it being clear for what reason.
For years, however, criticism has been growing in Washington against the growth of technology companies, which are becoming increasingly powerful. Google, for example, is being kept under close watch by the authorities - there is even a threat that the company will be broken up.
Microsoft also joins the chorus
Microsoft has also made a donation. What is particularly important for it, but also for other technology concerns, is the regulation of artificial intelligence. Microsoft is working closely with the creators of ChatGPT from OpenAI. It is particularly important for the company that laws on artificial intelligence do not restrict business too much, explains ARD.
In this regard, Scott Galloway, a professor at New York University and host of well-known business podcasts, says: "The president-elect is threatening to prosecute and regulate those who do not donate to him. With each passing day, we are becoming more and more like Russia".
Author: Nils Damptz (ARD)