To: Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta
From: Center for Countering Digital Hate and our supporters
Dear Mr. Zuckerberg,
In early 2025, Meta announced weakening content moderation policies and enforcement. In June this year, our Safety Off report demonstrated that violent threats, hate and harassment targeting elected officials in the United States increased sharply following those changes. We previously warned that weakening safeguards against hate could have serious consequences for democratic debate.
Our new research suggests similar warning signs are now emerging in Europe. Following the European Parliament's vote on the Return Regulation, MEP Abir Al-Sahlani became the target of a wave of online abuse after speaking out against the "send them back" chants in the Parliament chamber.
CCDH analysed more than 16,000 Facebook and Instagram comments under posts about the vote and found that 43% were hateful or anti-migrant. Of those, 9% contained hate that was likely to violate Meta's own Hateful Conduct policy. Many of these comments remained visible on the platform.
Meta has a responsibility to ensure its platforms do not amplify hate or create an environment where harassment flourishes. The company must protect users and safeguard democratic debate.
We urge Meta to:
- Restore proactive enforcement against violent threats, incitement, hateful conduct, bullying, and harassment.
- Release data showing how Meta is enforcing these policies across the European Union.
- Explain how its January 2025 policy changes comply with the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) and what steps it is taking to reduce risks to democratic participation.
When hateful rhetoric is allowed to spread online, it silences voices, particularly of women, and chips away at the foundations of democracy. Europeans should be able to participate in public life without fear of abuse or intimidation.
Sincerely,
CCDH and our supporters
