Yesterday, I was nursing a cup of tea—Earl Grey, because I’m not a savage—when Mark Zuckerberg popped up on my Instagram feed via Steven Bartlett, he was staring into the camera like he’d been locked in a cupboard for a week. His latest proclamation? Facebook and Instagram are going “back to their roots” of free expression. Because, clearly, what the internet desperately needed in 2025 was more rucks. 

If you missed it, here’s the skinny: Zuck wants to roll back the clock to when social media was about connecting with your mates rather than dodging fake news and dodgy ads for weight-loss hemp tea. Fact-checkers? Out. Community Notes? In. It’s basically “neighbourhood watch,” but for your timeline. A noble idea in theory—until you remember most of your “neighbours” leave dogshit in little plastic bags hanging on trees.

Oh, and then there’s the bit where Zuckerberg—brace yourselves—actually promised to work with Donald Trump. Yes, the man who recently had plans to invade Greenland. The rationale? Ironically fighting against “government overreach” and pushing back on censorship laws globally. In other words: deregulation is back on the menu, baby! Greenland here we come! 

The Grand Plan: Unplugging the Algorithmic Hoover 

Zuck outlined five major changes, each sounding like it was dreamed up during a particularly chaotic game of tech industry bingo whilst he was meditating in a sweat lodge in Mar-A-Lago with his new orange bestie. First, fact-checkers are being swapped for a “Community Notes” system, inspired by Elon Musk’s X. Yes, that X—the platform that rebranded itself with all the elegance of a local far-right boozer trying to go vegan. 

Next, he’s simplifying content policies. Fewer restrictions on “sensitive topics” like immigration and gender. Because, clearly, the problem with Facebook wasn’t enough rage—there was simply the lack of fuel for the outrage bonfire. 

Then there’s the new approach to content filters. Instead of proactively removing posts, Facebook will wait for users to flag them. It’s a bit like hiring bouncers who only step in after the bar fight has already broken out. 

Why Texas? No, Really—Why? 

Perhaps the most perplexing decision was to move moderation teams out of California and into Texas. Why Texas? Did Zuckerberg spin a globe, point blindly, and think, “Yes, this will solve all our problems”? Are moderators going to start wearing cowboy hats and saying, “Y’all better behave now, ya hear”?

It’s meant to counter accusations of bias, apparently. However, Texas is known for its business-friendly policies, which critics argue often come at the expense of worker rights, safety, and the environment. Mmmmmm. 

Does This Fit the IDEA Model? 

Watching this, I wondered how Zuckerberg might be able to use my IDEA model? It’s a bit like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, but let’s give it a go. 

• Inform: Simplifying policies could help make the rules clearer, but clearer doesn’t always mean better. Especially when those rules feel like they were written on the back of a napkin. 

• Develop: Handing moderation to the community might foster collective responsibility. Or it might lead to the world’s largest online shouting match. Place your bets now. 

• Enable: Loosening restrictions might enable a more open dialogue—or enable trolls to run riot. Who’s to say? 

• Animate: Zuckerberg spun a compelling yarn about “getting back to our roots.” The trouble is, those roots are tangled in the internet equivalent of a teenager’s bedroom. 

What’s Really Going On Here? 

At its heart, this is a PR move. Zuck isn’t just trying to revitalise free speech—he’s also trying to claw back some goodwill from users who’ve grown tired of feeling like every post is under surveillance by HAL 9000. 

The optimistic take? This could be a step towards a healthier, more balanced social media landscape. The realistic take? We’re months away from a digital apocalypse. 

Final Thought: Is This Progress or a Pivot? 

On the surface, Zuckerberg’s speech was all about free expression and giving people a voice. But dig a little deeper, and it feels more like a calculated gamble. He’s betting big on the idea that users can police themselves because he doesn’t want to foot the bill himself.

What do you reckon? Is this the start of a brave new era for social media or a social media bin fire waiting to happen? Are we about to witness the rebirth of free expression, or is this just Zuckerberg tossing a match into the algorithmic tinderbox and hoping it doesn’t burn down the whole internet?

Let me know your thoughts—optimism, cynicism, or a bit of both. Because if there’s one thing we can agree on, it’s that social media never fails to surprise us… usually in all the worst ways.