Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan Condemns Meta’s Decision to End Independent Fact-Checking Program

[Sacramento, CA] — Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection, and a staunch advocate for transparency and accountability for online platforms, strongly condemned Meta’s recent decision to eliminate its independent fact-checking program on Facebook and Instagram. This significant policy change undermines ongoing efforts to combat misinformation and exposes users—particularly vulnerable populations like children and teens—to harmful content.

“When Meta launched its independent fact-checking program in 2016, the goal was clear: to provide users with reliable, expert-reviewed information to counter the spread of viral hoaxes and falsehoods,” said Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan. “Meta’s decision to abandon this program in favor of unvetted, user-generated ‘community notes’ is a grave disservice to the public and a step backward in the fight against misinformation.”

"Meta and Mark Zuckerberg have a long-standing track record of prioritizing profit over the safety and mental health of young people, and today's announcement is more evidence of that. By putting the onus on the user community to report harmful content instead of trained fact-checking professionals, Meta could amplify the already major role that its platforms play in today's youth mental health crisis," said James P. Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media and author of Talking Back to Facebook. "Families and young people everywhere are demanding innovative policies to reign in greedy social media companies, and we have bold leaders like Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan to thank for leading the charge in California and across the country."

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has publicly acknowledged the risks associated with this decision, stating that “it means we’re going to catch less bad stuff” as a result of the policy shift. This concession underscores the ramifications for public trust, safety, and the integrity of online discourse.

“Misinformation and harmful content have real-world consequences,” added Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan. “We cannot allow platforms like Meta to abdicate their responsibility to provide a safe and trustworthy environment for their users. This decision demonstrates a blatant disregard for the safety of children and the integrity of public discourse.”

As Chair of the Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection, Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan has consistently prioritized the protection of children and families online. In December, in collaboration with Attorney General Rob Bonta, she introduced Assembly Bill 56 (AB 56), a landmark piece of legislation aimed at empowering users with clear information about the risks of social media platforms for children and teens. AB 56 requires social media companies to disclose these risks by adding warning labels to their platforms, ensuring users have equitable access to information that may affect their health and safety.

“As a mother and a legislator, protecting children online is my mission,” said Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan. “The digital world is an increasingly central part of our lives, and we must hold tech giants accountable for their role in shaping a safer, more honest ecosystem for our youth.”

Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan will continue to champion legislation to hold social media companies accountable and advance policies that prioritize consumer privacy and public safety.

“Our democracy and the well-being of future generations depend on a digital ecosystem that values truth and safety over profit margins,” concluded Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan. “We will not stand idly by as misinformation spreads unchecked and communities suffer the consequences.”