Meta is a Menace. The Tyranny of AI
The use of AI in content moderation on Meta’s platforms—Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads—has sparked intense debate about its impact on free expression, fairness, and platform governance. The term “tyranny of AI” suggests an overreach of automated systems that could suppress voices or misjudge content, often with little recourse for users. Below, I’ll break down the key issues, benefits, and concerns surrounding Meta’s AI-driven moderation, drawing on recent trends and critiques while examining the broader implications. The Role of AI in Meta’s Content Moderation Meta has increasingly leaned on AI to handle the massive volume of content across its platforms, with automated systems now responsible for a significant portion of content removals. For instance, in early 2025, Meta reported that 97.4% of content removed for hate speech on Instagram was handled by AI, though this dropped slightly for bullying and harassment on Facebook. The company has also moved toward automat...