Meta agreed to change the benefits for users who belong to the VIP program, although without revealing the names of those who make it up.

Meta responded to recommendations from its Supervisory Board to avoid providing privileges to the VIP program of users, a set of famous or high-profile individuals on its Facebook and Instagram platforms.

In its response, Meta agreed to adopt many of the board’s suggestions, but declined to implement changes that would have increased transparency about who is in the program.

Changes at Meta

Meta’s response comes on the heels of huge criticism of the program for prioritizing “business concerns” over human rights.

In total, Meta agreed to adopt 26 of the 32 recommendations, at least partially. These include changes to the way cross-checking cases are handled internally at the company, as well as promises to disclose more information to the Oversight Board about the program.

The company also pledged to reduce the backlog of cases.

But, in particular, Meta refused to accept the Oversight Board’s recommendation to publicly disclose politicians, state actors, companies and other public figures who benefit from the protections.

The company said that publicly disclosing details about the program “could have a myriad of unintended consequences that would make it both unworkable and unsustainable.”

What it also rejected

Meta rejected a recommendation to require users who are part of the cross-check to make “an additional, explicit commitment” to follow the company’s rules.

And Meta said it was “evaluating the feasibility” of a recommendation that would allow people to opt out of this VIP group.

While Meta’s response shows that the company is willing to make changes to one of its controversial programs, it also underscores the company’s reluctance to make public key details about them.

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