Sussex vs Zuckerberg: Prince Harry and Meghan blast Meta over decision to soften content regulations

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released a scathing statement amid Mark Zuckerberg's Meta overhaul. Photo / Getty Images

• The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have criticised changes to content monitoring on Meta platforms.
• They argued the new policies prioritise spreading hate and lies, contributing to the “global mental health crisis”.
• The couple pledged support for organisations advocating online accountability and fairness, emphasising public safety and well-being.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have spoken out against proposed changes to Meta (Facebook, Instagram and Threads), claiming they are “deeply deceptive” and “undermine free speech”.

Mark Zuckerberg’s social media giant recently announced it would scrap its third-party fact-checking and soften its content moderation policies.

The platforms will instead switch to an X (formerly Twitter)-style system of community-added notes, which some believe will allow for the spread of factually incorrect material more easily.

In a strongly worded 638-word statement, the royal couple, who were recently seen hugging and comforting residents affected by the LA wildfires, said Meta’s recent decisions went directly against its stated mission to “build human connection”.

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta, formerly known as Facebook Inc. Photo / Supplied

Instead, they believed the changes “prioritise those using the platforms to spread hate, lies and division at the expense of everyone else”.

The couple also blamed the changes for contributing to the “global mental health crisis”.

“Online spaces must be designed with public safety and well-being at their core, resilient against political pressures and lapses in corporate leadership,” the statement read.

Harry and Meghan have had a testy relationship with social media platforms over their years in the public eye.

In 2021, an insider revealed the pair were planning to quit social media “for good” after becoming discouraged by the hate and online trolling they have received.

“If people are saying things about you that aren’t true, what that does to your mental and emotional health is so damaging … That’s so big, you can’t even think of what that feels like," Meghan told the Teenager Therapy podcast.

In light of Meta’s decisions, the couple also vowed to support organisations that advocated for accountability and fairness online.

“Building on this commitment, we are making new contributions to those working to help policymakers better understand platform design impacts and partnering with Screen Sanity to expand their curriculum with a safety-by-design module for parents navigating the digital age”.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their family live in the exclusive celebrity enclave of Montecito, just under two hours from Los Angeles. It's been deemed as high-risk for fire in the blazes sweeping Los Angeles. Photos / Getty Images, AFP

Meghan was also set to release her Netflix cooking and lifestyle show With Love, Meghan on January 15, but this has now been delayed to March 4 as a result of the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles.

“I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California,” the Duchess said.

Earlier, the pair shared a statement and encouraged others to open their homes to those affected, writing: “In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighbourhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centres, and so much more – affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life.

“If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate, and you can offer them a safe haven in your home, please do”.