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EmailResponding to Meta's new policy changes, Stonewall's CEO Simon Blake said:
"We’re deeply troubled Meta is rolling back policies designed to protect people using their platforms. Instead of promoting values of tolerance and respect, one of world's most influential companies is taking the regressive and harmful step of allowing LGBTQ+ people to be described as mentally ill, and enabling the promotion of harmful and abusive conversion practices. This is a slippery slope and will undoubtedly have real world consequences at a time when minority rights, including LGBTQ+ rights, are already under threat.
"Online hate and disinformation damages how society views and treats marginalised groups, and undermines societal cohesion. Meta’s approach puts politics above people when many are already concerned about the toxicity of online discourse, risking furthering division instead of fostering community
"We have requested a meeting with Meta to raise our concerns and will continue to work with the UK Government and technology companies to ensure that everyone is safe both online and offline."
This response was updated following Meta and others announcing that it was stopping its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programmes. Stonewall's CEO Simon Blake said:
"We are deeply concerned by Meta’s decision to end its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programmes, which comes in the same week that it rolled back its content moderation policies. The world’s largest social media company has placed politics before people, including its own staff. Meta’s decision to abandon inclusion efforts come at a time when LGBTQ+ and minority rights are under increasing threat. Its decisions may worry its 70,000 staff, many of whom will be LGBTQ+, and risks creating a culture where employees don’t feel included.
"Instead of using its power to unite, the company is leaning into division and adding fuel to hate and disinformation. No responsible platform should allow describing being LGBTQ+ as a ‘mental illness’ or allow the promotion of abusive conversion practices which seek to ‘cure’ LGBTQ+ people. Meta’s actions have real-world implications for people’s mental wellbeing and safety, at a time when many are already concerned about the toxicity of online discourse, which can promote division in our society.
"This week, we’ve seen just how fragile all our rights can be. As a company of more than three billion users, Meta’s approach to inclusion puts politics above people and risks furthering division instead of fostering community. We have requested a meeting with Meta to raise our concerns and will continue to work with the UK Government and technology companies to tackle safety both online and offline."
