Meta is facing a wave of internal outrage after introducing controversial changes to its content moderation rules that employees say undermine the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and promote harmful rhetoric, 404Media reports. The outrage erupted after the company allowed users to describe LGBTQ+ people as having “mental disorders,” which sparked protests among employees.

The changes were introduced as part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s broader strategy to prioritize “freedom of expression” over restrictive content moderation. However, many employees, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, see the move as a betrayal of Meta’s stated values and an invitation to spread hate speech.

Screenshots from Meta’s internal platform, Workplace, show an atmosphere of chaos and discontent among employees. Posts express anger, frustration, and even a desire to quit. Many employees from the LGBTQ+ community have taken leave to support their mental health, and some have openly discussed their intention to leave the company.

“It’s total chaos internally at Meta right now,” one of the employees wrote in an internal discussion thread. Another added: “I’m ashamed to work here. We have betrayed our commitment to making our platforms safe for everyone.”

Many employees are demanding transparency from Meta’s management, questioning how the decision was made and whether any LGBTQ+ organizations were involved. The lack of internal discussion and clearly documented reasons for the change has only increased distrust.

The outrage was the latest episode in a series of controversies over content moderation on Meta. For many years, the company has been criticized for inconsistent application of rules and insufficient protection of marginalized groups. In 2024, there were reports of a significant reduction in content moderation teams, raising concerns about the platform’s ability to combat hate speech and harmful content.

Observers believe that the recent policy changes are part of a broader trend in the tech industry where companies are testing the limits of minimal moderation. Critics emphasize that such changes often come at the expense of vulnerable users, and Meta now appears to be following suit.

Some Meta employees suspect that the policy change is politically motivated. Critics believe that Zuckerberg is trying to attract an audience with right-wing views, especially after the 2024 US presidential election, which was won by Donald Trump. They point to Meta’s attempts to build relationships with conservative audiences.

“It’s hard not to see this as a deliberate political move,” said one employee. “We are pleasing a certain political audience at the expense of the safety of our employees.”

Zuckerberg’s public statements did not help calm the situation. On the Threads platform, he dismissed criticism of the policy change, saying that most users would welcome the move toward greater freedom of expression. However, his comments only deepened the divide within the company. LGBTQ+ rights advocates emphasize that such a policy normalizes harmful rhetoric and undermines the security of Meta’s platforms.

“Freedom of expression cannot come before the safety and dignity of our users,” one employee wrote in an internal discussion. “We are demonstrating that hate speech is acceptable on our platforms, and that is absolutely unacceptable.”

The outcry threatens to undermine Meta’s reputation for inclusivity. It has long positioned itself as an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, but recent policy changes call into question those claims.

It remains to be seen whether Meta will be able to resolve the growing internal conflict or whether the company will redouble its efforts on a new strategy. However, for many employees, the damage may already be irreparable.

“We have crossed the line. And I’m not sure we’ll be able to go back,” summarized one of the employees.