Meghan Markle and Prince Harry condemn Meta's choice to halt fact-checking, calling it "deeply misleading."

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are criticizing Meta's choice to eliminate fact-checking on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex used their Archewell Foundation website to criticize Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's latest policy change on Monday. In addition to Facebook, Meta also owns other platforms such as Threads and WhatsApp.

""The latest news from Meta about changes to their policies directly undermines free speech, regardless of your political views. This should deeply concern us all," the couple's statement, titled "Fact-checking Meta," read."

"Despite the company's claims, promoting more abuse and tolerating hate speech actually stifles free speech and expression, rather than encouraging it," they stated. "In a world where information is already overwhelming and often misleading, Meta's actions and promises have proven to be hollow and lacking in substance."

"The company's decision to roll back protections is so far away from its stated values and commitments to its users, including the parents and families calling for change around the globe, that it's now deeply deceptive."

Millions of people in the U.S. and hundreds of millions more worldwide use Meta's platforms.

"The company’s decision to rollback protections is so far away from its stated values and commitments to its users — including the parents and families calling for change around the globe — that it’s now deeply deceptive." — The Archewell Foundation

"Unfortunately, Meta's recent decisions contradict its mission to "build human connection" and instead prioritize those using the platform to spread hate, lies, and division at the expense of others."

The profound global impact of Meta's decisions on the world, which many are still recovering from or actively suffering from, should not allow the politics of one country to determine whether freedom of expression and civil and human rights are protected in the online spaces shaping or destroying democracy.

The couple believes that online spaces should prioritize public safety and well-being, be resilient to political pressures, and have strong corporate leadership.

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In 2024, Harry and Meghan launched The Parents Network through Archewell as a resource for parents and caregivers affected by social media's harmful effects. Since stepping back as senior royals in 2020 and moving to California, creating a safer online space has been a key goal for the couple.

Meta's latest move is a reflection of social media companies' recognition of their ability to influence public discourse, yet their disregard for their responsibility to prevent abuse of power, with ego or profit driving their decisions that impact billions.

"Our concern is heightened by the proposal to abandon diversity and equity commitments, along with internal policy changes that weaken safeguards for vulnerable groups. This mirrors the concerns raised by experts, whistleblowers, and families during online harm hearings, particularly with regards to children's safety: the design of platforms, determined by internal policies, shapes our online experiences."

The statement continued, "Ignoring this is putting everyone in danger and contributing to a global mental health crisis. Meta's changes to its 'Hateful Content Policies' do not protect free expression but instead create an environment where abuse and hate speech silence and threaten the voices of entire communities who make up a healthy democracy."

"We urge Meta to reinstate policies to safeguard all users and we urge leaders across industries to maintain their integrity and public safety online. We applaud leaders who stand firm against bullying."

Several organizations advocate for accountability and fairness online.

"We have observed the devastating consequences of industry decisions made in this space over the past five years, and we believe there is no excuse for their disregard of ethical and moral standards," the statement stated.

"The Archewell Foundation is dedicated to ensuring accountability, safeguarding information integrity, and protecting all communities in the digital age. We anticipate that those contributing to Meta's profits, such as advertisers and shareholders, will also prioritize these values."

Meta is shifting its fact-checking process to a "community notes" system, similar to X, where users are responsible for correcting misinformation on its platforms.

Mark Zuckerberg, 40, announced in a video that he is prioritizing "free expression" and claimed fact-checkers are "politically biased." He also revealed that he is relocating Meta's content moderation team from California, a blue state, to Texas, a red state, and lifting restrictions on some immigration and gender discussions.

Meta had no immediate comment on how many people might be relocated.

Meghan rejoined social media on Jan. 1 after a five-year hiatus. She has an Instagram account under the handle @meghan with comments turned off. The former American actress has a new Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan," which was set for a Jan. 15 premiere. However, it was rescheduled to March due to the Los Angeles fires.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.