Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's recent announcement to discontinue the use of third-party fact-checkers and relax some content restrictions on Facebook and Instagram has been met with mixed reactions. While some experts see it as a potential turning point for the platform, others believe it won't alleviate the company's ongoing legal challenges.

Zuckerberg explained in a video that the restrictions implemented after the 2016 elections had overreached and led to excessive political bias from external fact-checkers. He stated that a new "Community Notes" system, similar to the one used by X (formerly Twitter), will replace the old system. Zuckerberg emphasized the need to reduce errors, simplify policies, and prioritize free expression.

This move has garnered praise from figures like President-elect Donald Trump, who commended Meta's progress. However, the company still faces potential legal repercussions, including a multibillion-dollar class-action lawsuit related to the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal. The Supreme Court recently rejected Meta's attempt to halt this lawsuit.

Furthermore, Meta has been the subject of numerous Republican-led congressional investigations, focusing on the platform's interactions with the federal government and alleged censorship. These investigations, along with ongoing litigation, bring Meta's actions into the public eye, which legal experts predict will face further scrutiny in the Missouri v. Biden case, a lawsuit addressing claims of political censorship.

Legal experts like law professor Jonathan Turley believe Meta's legal troubles are far from over, particularly with a Republican-controlled Congress and White House. The Supreme Court's conservative majority is also seen as unlikely to favor Meta's stance on First Amendment issues. However, Turley acknowledges the potential for this shift to be a "transformative moment," especially if Zuckerberg and Elon Musk collaborate on free speech advocacy.

This evolving situation raises significant questions about the balance between free expression and content moderation on social media platforms.