The Pursuit of Truth Is About to Get Harder
Meta will no longer fact-check posts and instead rely on community notes — similar to X. This means anything goes – including half-truths and outright misinformation.
Welcome back. It's Friday, January 10 and here's what you should know this week.
CALIFORNIA ON FIRE
Wildfires have been tearing through California this week, killing at least 11 people, destroying thousands of homes and forcing many more to evacuate for safety.
Tonight, at least six wildfires are burning as firefighters tirelessly battle the out-of-control flames. Usually confined to the hotter months, these fires are unusual for January and unprecedented in scale.
While authorities have not yet identified or shared the cause, here’s what we know so far 🔽:
Huma Razvi
MAJOR META CHANGES
Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, announced sweeping changes to its content moderation policies on Tuesday, just weeks after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump in private at Mar-a-Lago.
Zuckerberg decided that the company — including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads — would no longer fact-check posts and will instead rely on community notes — similar to X. This means anything goes – including half-truths and outright misinformation. In addition:
- DEI Programs Discontinued: Meta will end its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives aimed at hiring underrepresented minorities and women.
- Political Influence Concerns: After a meeting with Trump, Meta has hired Trump allies for key roles, sparking fears of right-wing favoritism.
Zuckerberg denies political influence but claims pressure from the Biden administration shaped past content moderation decisions.
“In the short term, this is bad news for people who want to go on social media to find trustworthy and accurate information. In the long term, I think it’s very uncertain what this will all mean.” – Angie Drobnic Holan, director of the International Fact-Checking Network.
REACTION:
- Critics Fear Real-World Harm: Experts warn these changes could worsen the spread of hate speech and misinformation.
- How to Leave Meta: If you're considering deleting accounts across Meta platforms, here's how:
See full bio
If you're staying, The Intercept details what this could mean as you enter the Metaverse, and it ain't pretty.
Sam Biddle
TRUMP IS COMING
In case you were wondering, yes – Congress certified the 2024 election on January 6 without any fuss. Trump will be sworn in on January 20.
Felon-in-Chief
Trump will be the first convicted felon to be sworn in as POTUS. Earlier this year, Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments just before the election to Stormy Daniels, with whom he allegedly had an affair.
A judge sentenced Trump on Friday but imposed no punishment, citing his upcoming inauguration. While jail time is rare for this type of crime, penalties like community service or fines are typical. Instead, Trump received an "unconditional discharge," which upholds the conviction but shields him from consequences. Trump denies the allegations, dismissing the case as a political "witch hunt."
SO LONG, JIMMY CARTER
Former President Jimmy Carter was laid to rest in Georgia this week after being eulogized by President Biden at a service in Washington attended by all five living presidents. Carter was 100 when he died on December 29.
Carter was lauded as a genuine public servant. He dedicated his post-presidential life to various humanitarian endeavors, earning him a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. However, his legacy is complicated by failures that led to the deaths and suffering of many during his presidency. One perspective here.
HEADLINES
Alcohol Warnings
Outgoing Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has issued an advisory recommending that alcohol be sold with warning labels citing a link between its consumption and at least seven types of cancer.
"Hey, Siri!"
Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement in a five-year class action lawsuit alleging Siri eavesdropped on users without consent. The suit claimed Siri secretly recorded conversations on iPhones and other devices, even without the trigger phrase "Hey, Siri.” While Apple denies any wrongdoing, it opted to settle to avoid prolonged litigation.
Users who owned Siri-enabled devices between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, may qualify for $20 per device, up to a maximum of $100. A judge will review the settlement on February 14, 2025.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about privacy and data practices in the tech industry, especially for voice-activated assistants. The Guardian first exposed Siri eavesdropping in a 2019 report.
AROUND THE WORLD
Lebanon
After two years without a president, Lebanon has elected former army chief Joseph Aoun. Aoun, a U.S. ally backed by Saudi Arabia, is expected to reduce Hezbollah’s influence in Lebanon—a shift that benefits both Israel and the U.S. Saudi Arabia has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars for rebuilding efforts in Lebanon, including areas damaged by Israeli actions, following Aoun's victory. More from NPR.
Greenland
Trump has renewed interest in acquiring Greenland for the U.S., citing national security concerns. Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, offers a strategic location for early detection of ballistic missiles and monitoring Russian naval and submarine activity. However, the U.S. has maintained a military presence in Greenland since 1951 under an agreement with Denmark, already securing these advantages. This raises questions about Trump’s motives. Denmark firmly states that Greenland is not for sale.
Oh, Canada
On Monday, Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as Canada’s Prime Minister following pressure from his Liberal Party. Trump’s pledge to impose tariffs of up to 25% on Canadian goods has highlighted economic instability in Canada, where inflation and unemployment are already high. These issues, combined with Trudeau’s declining approval ratings due to his handling of the economy, made him a liability ahead of upcoming elections. Trudeau will remain in office until a successor is chosen.
