Lawsuit Challenges Meta's Control Over Users' Facebook Feeds

A lawsuit filed against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, argues that users have the right to control their Facebook feed, including using external tools like 'Unfollow Everything 2.0' to unfollow all content and empty their newsfeed. The lawsuit, filed by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University on behalf of Ethan Zuckerman, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is based on a provision in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

The lawsuit aims to establish that Facebook users have the right to build tools to customize their experience on the platform and have more control over their newsfeed. It challenges Meta's previous actions, such as issuing a cease-and-desist letter and banning a developer who released a similar tool called 'Unfollow Everything'. Zuckerman wants to release the 'Unfollow Everything 2.0' tool, which would allow users to unfollow all content and empty their Facebook newsfeed, but fears legal action from Meta.

The lawsuit centers on a provision in Section 230 that provides immunity to software developers who create tools to filter or screen content that users consider objectionable. It argues that this provision allows social media users to use external tools to control their feed, including the ability to unfollow all content and empty their newsfeed.

Why this matters: The outcome of this case could have significant implications for users' control over their social media experience and the ability of researchers to study the impact of social media algorithms on users. It could pave the way for the development of tools that give users more transparency and control over the algorithms that shape their online lives.

Zuckerman's lawsuit seeks a ruling that his browser extension 'Unfollow Everything 2.0' is legal and does not violate Meta's policies or other laws. "Users should have the right to control their Facebook feed, including using external tools like 'Unfollow Everything 2.0' to empty their newsfeed," the lawsuit argues. The case, filed on May 1, 2024, in the Northern District of California, aims to force transparency and give users more control over the algorithms that shape their social media experience.

Key Takeaways

• Lawsuit filed against Meta argues users have right to control Facebook feed using external tools.
• Lawsuit aims to establish users' right to customize experience and have more control over newsfeed.
• Lawsuit centers on Section 230 provision allowing tools to filter content users consider objectionable.
• Outcome could impact users' control over social media experience and researchers' ability to study algorithms.
• Lawsuit seeks ruling that 'Unfollow Everything 2.0' is legal and does not violate Meta's policies.