Facebook has exempted high-profile users from some or all of its rules (wsj.com)

Article summary

Facebook has a program called XCheck that exempts high-profile users from some or all of its rules, allowing them to post content that would otherwise be removed. This program includes users such as celebrities, politicians, and influencers. The existence of this program has raised concerns about fairness and accountability on the platform. The details of the program and its implications are being discussed in the comments.

Main themes

• Facebook's XCheck program
• social media moderation
• animal cruelty
• social inequality
• online accountability
• platform transparency

What commenters say

• Facebook's XCheck program is seen as a clear example of the company's duplicitous and sociopathic behavior, prioritizing the interests of the elite over those of ordinary users.
• The program is necessary to attract and retain high-profile users, who are essential to the platform's success and appeal.
• The existence of XCheck highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in Facebook's moderation practices, particularly with regards to animal cruelty and other forms of harmful content.
• Some users believe that Facebook's automated moderation system is flawed and inconsistent, leading to unfair enforcement of community standards.
• Others argue that the problem of animal cruelty on the platform is more complex and nuanced, and that industrial animal farming is a larger and more significant issue.
• The fact that some users are exempt from Facebook's rules while others are not is seen as a fundamental flaw in the platform's design and a reflection of its priorities.
• The discussion around XCheck also touches on the broader theme of social inequality and the ways in which powerful individuals and groups are able to operate with impunity online.
• Some commenters suggest that the elite may not actually use Facebook or other social media platforms in the same way that ordinary users do, and that they may have alternative means of communication and networking.