Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, kicked off a transformational 2025 with radical leadership, policy, and strategic changes. The year began with a series of announcements, including a total overhaul of Meta’s content moderation framework, a backtracking on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, and further layoffs.
Meta has decided to discontinue its third-party fact-checking effort in the United States and shift to a model of community notes similar to what is used by X (formerly Twitter). The shift to community notes will allow users to correct misinformation, following a trend on other social media platforms. The shift has been seen as a response to political pressure, particularly from President Trump, who has long accused Meta of conservative bias.
In addition to these changes, Meta has loosened its hate speech policies and plans to foster political discussion on its platforms. These moves have been seen as efforts to appease conservative detractors and keep up with the changing political environment under the Trump administration. Despite these changes, analysts expect that Meta’s vastness and reach will continue to be vital to advertisers, with little expected impact on ad expenditure.
Meta made significant personnel reorganizations in a bid to better deal with the country’s politics. Joel Kaplan’s appointment as its new chief global affairs officer replacing Nick Clegg is that shift. It was in a bid to re-emphasize its connection to the Trump administration and foresee probable regulatory hazards.
Moreover, Meta promoted some new directors to its board of directors, including tech investor Charlie Songhurst, Exor CEO John Elkann, and UFC leader Dana White. Such recruitment decisions are viewed as calculated steps to extend Meta’s reach and connections within the political and technology communities.
2025 is also marked by Meta’s greater focus on artificial intelligence (AI). Meta is going to invest heavily in AI research, with an estimated $60 to $65 billion investment in capital expenses for the year. This massive increase is indicative of Meta’s commitment to keeping up with the AI war, particularly against OpenAI and newcomers like DeepSeek.
Mark Zuckerberg has been optimistic about the potential of AI-driven growth and innovation at Meta. He made references to future progress on the lines of Meta’s Llama AI model and emphasized the importance of American companies spearheading open-source AI for national good.
In an attempt to regain Facebook’s popularity, particularly among the youth, Mark Zuckerberg has planned to return to the platform’s origins. The initiative, referred to as “getting back to OG Facebook,” is aimed at reclaiming Facebook’s cultural significance and making it appealing to a new generation of users. The initiative is not without obstacles, however, as the youth have been migrating in droves to platforms like TikTok and Snapchat.
Despite all this, Meta faces a tough challenge to win back the attention of Gen Z users, who have remained vigorously committed to other social platforms. The company’s previous attempts at attracting younger consumers, like the launch of Facebook Campus, have not paid off.
Meta has also settled a suit against President Trump for $25 million. The payment comes on the heels of an extended courthouse battle after Trump was suspended by Facebook following the storming of the Capitol in January 6, 2021. The payout indicates that Meta is seeking to navigate through political tensions and avoid further courtry entanglement.
Briefly, Meta’s 2025 is marked by significant policy changes, leadership transitions, and a renewed focus on AI and cultural relevance. As the company navigates these transformations, it must balance its strategic goals with the evolving political and technological landscapes.
