Recently, two of the most powerful tech moguls, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, have taken bold, often controversial steps that transcend the realm of business and venture into the complex world of geopolitics. As the heads of Meta and X (formerly Twitter), these influential leaders are no longer merely setting trends in social media but are actively reshaping the political landscape, both in the US and beyond. Their latest moves, seemingly aligned with right-wing ideologies, are raising important questions about the intersection of technology, business and politics.
Both Zuckerberg and Musk have, through recent policy shifts, made their platforms active participants in the ideological and political discourse of our time. Zuckerberg's Meta and Musk's X have now morphed from communication platforms into strategic political tools, with significant ramifications for democratic processes, global governance, and even the future of free speech.
Meta's strategic pivot
Zuckerberg's recent announcement of a sweeping overhaul of Meta's content moderation policies sent shockwaves through the digital landscape. Meta is removing its third-party fact-checking programme, replacing it with a community-driven model, a move akin to Musk's Community Notes on X. Furthermore, Meta will prioritise more political content in its feeds while relocating content moderation teams from California to the politically-conservative state of Texas. Zuckerberg has framed these shifts as a response to criticisms of political bias, positioning Meta as an advocate for free speech in the face of growing claims of censorship.
At the same time, Zuckerberg's political entanglements have come into sharper focus. His relationship with former President Donald Trump, evidenced by a high-profile dinner and a $1 million donation to Trump's campaign, appears to be more than coincidental. Trump's influence and rhetoric on tech companies and their moderation policies have resonated with Zuckerberg, culminating in Meta's shift towards a less regulated platform. The changes, although billed as a return to Meta's libertarian roots, are politically charged and can be seen as a calculated alignment with a power structure that now controls the White House.
Critics argue that the removal of professional fact-checkers in favour of crowd-sourced verification presents a significant risk. While the intention may be to reduce perceived bias, the reality is that this move opens the door for misinformation, hate speech and other harmful content to flourish. These concerns are exacerbated by Zuckerberg's political manoeuvring, suggesting that Meta's policy shift may not just be a business decision, but part of a larger political strategy.
Musk's global influence
Musk has taken his brand of free speech activism to Europe, where his interventions have become a cause for concern among European leaders. Musk's endorsement of far-right political groups, such as Germany's Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), and his outspoken criticisms of European politicians, have sparked alarm. His livestream with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, where he lauded the party as Germany's "saviour", is just the tip of the iceberg. Musk's rhetoric against European institutions, including the European Commission, is seen as an attempt to undermine regulatory efforts aimed at curbing the influence of social media giants. In the UK, his description of PM Keir Starmer as complicit in "tyrannical" actions has further strained his relationship with European governments.
Musk's comments have ignited heated debates, with critics accusing him of meddling in Europe's internal political affairs. For Musk, the endorsement of far-right figures is framed as a battle against censorship by the political establishment. His view of free speech may be contentious; critics argue that his unchecked meddling in European affairs could have dire consequences for democratic processes. Musk's interventions risk legitimising extremist ideologies, particularly in regions that are already grappling with rising nationalism and political instability.
The convergence of tech giants to the right
Zuckerberg and Musk's recent actions reflect a broader trend among tech giants to align themselves with right-wing political ideologies. Their decisions are underpinned by an increasingly libertarian stance, which, while championing free expression, also happens to align with the political right's push against what it perceives as the overreach of regulatory bodies and content moderators.
Zuckerberg's relocation of content moderation teams to Texas is symbolic of this shift. Texas, a state known for its conservative political leanings, is becoming the new hub for Meta's digital operations, signalling a departure from the more liberal bastion of California. Musk's activities are similarly positioned as a fight for free speech, but his support for controversial political figures raises questions about the true nature of his advocacy.
This alignment is not merely coincidental. With the political landscape shifting in both the US and Europe, Zuckerberg and Musk's moves reflect the growing power of tech moguls to shape global political outcomes. They are no longer passive actors in the digital space; they are actively participating in shaping political discourse and influencing public opinion.
While Zuckerberg and Musk frame their actions as necessary corrections to ensure free speech, the broader implications of their decisions cannot be ignored. The growing influence of these tech moguls raises important questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the responsibility to prevent the spread of misinformation and harmful content. By reducing oversight, both Meta and X risk becoming breeding grounds for disinformation, extremism and political manipulation.
As the platforms of Zuckerberg and Musk become increasingly politicised, the role of social media in shaping public discourse is coming under intense scrutiny. There is even a rumour that ByteDance might sell its American TikTok division to Musk, just to stop Trump from banning the app altogether once he takes office on 20 January. The question is no longer just about how these platforms operate, but about the ethics and responsibilities of the individuals behind them. Are Zuckerberg and Musk acting in the best interest of the public, or are they furthering their own business and political agendas?
The future of digital governance will depend on how these questions are answered. As Europe continues to grapple with the challenges posed by unchecked tech power, the need for a more thoughtful regulatory framework becomes ever more urgent.
Dr Ovidiu Tierean is a senior advisor at PKF Malta