Tech and politics just got a little too cozy.

Don’t be fooled by the political theater that’s happening right now around TikTok and Meta.

It’s designed to distract us while bigger moves are made behind the scenes.

Let’s break down what’s happening at the intersection of tech, politics, and influence in just the last week:

Let me break it down for you because behind the curtain, things are shifting fast:

 Zuckerberg just announced they’re replacing third-party fact-checkers with a Community Notes system, much like X. Sounds like free speech, right? Right-wing figures applauded the move, and Zuckerberg justified it by saying people want more political content now.

In his words:

“We’re bringing back civic content. For a while, the community asked to see less politics because it was making people stressed, so we stopped recommending these posts. But it feels like we’re in a new era now, and we’re starting to get feedback that people want to see this content again.”

 Meta is “simplifying” how they handle content on topics like gender and immigration. While that might sound harmless, history shows that vague or oversimplified policies often hurt marginalized communities. LGBTQ+ users, for example, could face more harassment and hate speech with fewer safeguards in place.

 The team at Meta is getting a makeover. Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs (a centrist voice) is out, and new board members include UFC CEO Dana White, a Trump ally. This new leadership team, packed with political and corporate ties, could steer Meta toward policies that prioritize profits and political allegiances over fairness and community safety.

 Meta’s moderation and trust teams are moving from California to Texas. This move isn’t just about geography though, it could mean a shift in how moderation policies are shaped, leaning into Texas’ more conservative climate and deregulation.

 TikTok was “banned” for less than 24 hours, only to come back, with credit that Trump’s efforts “saved” it. This feels more like political theater than genuine action. It’s giving theater, and it raises questions about how tech platforms are being used for political narratives.

With these changes, it’s hard not to wonder, are we witnessing the consolidation of influence over our digital public squares?

Does this signal a shift in who controls the narrative on Meta, X, and TikTok?

These shifts raise serious questions about the balance of power in tech and politics.

What do you think these changes mean for the future of free speech and content moderation?

I want to hear your take.