Meta’s Policy Shift: Tampons Removed from Men’s Restrooms as Zuckerberg Alters Course
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has made a series of policy changes following the recent election, including the removal of tampons from men’s restrooms at its offices in Silicon Valley, Texas, and New York.
According to Fox Business, these moves mark a significant pivot for the tech giant as CEO Mark Zuckerberg appears to adjust Meta’s direction to better reflect the political priorities of the incoming Trump administration — or, at the very least, signal alignment with its core values.
The restroom policy shift has drawn criticism. Previously, Meta had stocked men’s bathrooms with tampons to accommodate nonbinary and transgender employees who use these facilities but require feminine hygiene products. The recent removal of these supplies has reportedly led to dissatisfaction among some LGBT staff members. The New York Times noted that one employee resigned, while others are exploring new job opportunities.
In addition to restroom policy changes, Meta has dismantled its controversial left-leaning “fact-checking” program and lifted certain content restrictions on Facebook and Instagram. Zuckerberg acknowledged that past content moderation efforts had “overreached” and pledged to restore a broader commitment to free speech on the platform. This announcement has been widely interpreted as a response to the evolving political environment and a bid to align more closely with the Trump administration’s views on free expression.
Meta has also terminated its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Joel Kaplan, Meta’s chief global affairs officer, stated that future hiring will focus on talent rather than factors like race or gender. Kaplan told Fox News Digital that the company’s approach will prioritize “building teams with the best people,” expanding recruitment to broader talent pools without preference for demographic characteristics.
This sweeping policy revision places Meta among a growing number of corporations distancing themselves from DEI-driven agendas. The reactions within the company have been mixed, with some employees voicing disapproval, while others see the moves as a necessary adaptation to shifting political dynamics.