Meta — the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — is receiving criticism after appointing Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist and vocal opponent of diversity programs, as an adviser on AI bias.
Starbuck, who secured the advisory role through a lawsuit settlement with Meta, has used his social media platforms to spread disinformation about mass shootings, vaccines, and transgender people. Critics argue that his appointment indicates Big Tech may be conceding to right-wing pressure instead of promoting balanced AI ethics.
Despite the backlash, Meta has not commented publicly on Starbuck’s conduct or his role within the social media leader.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
A Settlement with Political Overtones
Starbuck’s path to Meta began after he sued the company in 2024, claiming its Meta AI chatbot falsely described him as a QAnon supporter and a participant in the January 6 Capitol attack. As part of a settlement agreement, Starbuck was appointed as an AI fairness adviser to help identify “ideological bias” in Meta’s systems.
In an August post on X (formerly Twitter), Joel Kaplan, Meta’s Head of Global Affairs, announced the partnership, claiming Meta and Starbuck would collaborate to “reduce political bias and improve AI accuracy.”
But Starbuck’s recent activity suggests otherwise. Since his appointment, he is using his large online following to amplify false or unverified claims, including conspiracies linking Democrats to violent crimes. His posts label peaceful activists as extremists.
Disinformation and Ideology Collide
Starbuck’s online content includes baseless connections between mass shooters and left-wing politics, debunked vaccine claims, and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. He even accused city officials in Portland of “working with terrorists”. He further suggests that local leaders collaborate with Antifa — a claim refuted by city officials and independent journalists.
In one post, Starbuck declared that “Antifa cells should be treated like ISIS,” following an injury sustained by a conservative influencer. Portland councilor Angelita Morillo dismissed his allegations, stating,
“I can’t take anyone seriously who relies on sensationalized clips, AI content, and outright lies to inform their thinking.”
Another official, Candace Avalos, criticized Starbuck’s narrative. She noted that “the idea that Antifa is a coordinated domestic terror network is untethered from reality.”
His rhetoric doesn’t stop there. Starbuck endorses authoritarian tactics. He’s praised El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who has imprisoned thousands without trial, as a model for U.S. cities.
False Claims About Science and Health
Starbuck’s history of misinformation icludes public health. In July 2024, he repeated a debunked claim from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alleging that the hepatitis B vaccine caused a 1,135% increase in autism rates. That claim, medical experts have thoroughly disproved.
He has also circulated misleading interpretations of research related to gender-affirming treatments. He claims that U.S. government-funded experiments designed to “make mice transgender.” In reality, those studies analyzed hormone impacts on wound healing, HIV treatment, and infertility.
Critics Question Meta’s Judgment
Human rights advocates and misinformation researchers condemned Meta’s decision to keep Starbuck in an advisory position.
Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, called the appointment “appalling,” adding:
“He peddles lies and pushes extremism. It’s hard to believe any of this helps make Meta’s platforms safer.”
Eric Bloem, Vice President at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, said:
“People should be able to find safe, welcoming communities online. Robby Starbuck spreads dangerous anti-LGBTQ disinformation that undermines that safety.”
The controversy also levies questions about Meta’s content moderation policies. In January, the company rolled back hate speech protections. Some analysts view Starbuck’s appointment as part of an ideological shift within Meta’s leadership.
Meta’s Silence and Legal Shadows
Meta has refused to address Starbuck’s public behavior or clarify the terms of his advisory role. According to reports, the arrangement was sealed through a legal settlement involving Dhillon Law Group. The firm is allegedly has deep ties in the Trump administration.
The firm’s founder, Harmeet Dhillon, now serves as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights under former President Donald Trump. Dhillon previously represented Starbuck and retains financial interests in pending cases, though the Department of Justice insists she no longer has a role in his affairs.
The episode underscores growing concerns about politicization in tech governance. With disinformation already threatening democratic institutions, critics say empowering politically charged figures to shape AI moderation tools may deepen bias instead of eliminating it.
TF Summary: What’s Next
Meta’s decision to engage Robby Starbuck as an AI adviser reveals a paradox: a company under constant fire for misinformation now faces allegations of platforming it from within. The decision not only damages Meta’s credibility but also fuels the debate over how Big Tech defines fairness and bias in AI systems.
MY FORECAST: As watchdog groups and journalists call for increased transparency, Meta’s silence erodes user trust and regulatory goodwill. For a company claiming to lead in responsible AI development, this flap exposes how fragile that claim truly is.
— Text-to-Speech (TTS) provided by gspeech