Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, is set to launch a new crowd-sourced fact-checking initiative called Community Notes starting March 18, 2025. This program will utilise an open-source algorithm developed by Elon Musk's X, marking a significant shift in Meta's approach to addressing misinformation on its platforms. The decision to adopt this community-driven model follows Meta's discontinuation of its traditional fact-checking program in January, which was criticized for perceived political biases.
Community Notes will empower users to add contextual information to posts they believe are misleading. This approach is designed to be more inclusive and less biased than traditional third-party fact-checking methods.
The feature will use X's open-source algorithm to evaluate the relevance and accuracy of user-generated notes. Only notes that achieve a broad consensus among contributors with diverse viewpoints will be prominently displayed.
Unlike traditional fact-checking, where flagged posts faced reduced visibility, Community Notes will not impose penalties on posts. This change reflects Meta's effort to balance free speech with the need to combat misinformation.
Initially, Community Notes will be tested in the U.S., with plans for a global rollout in the future. Fact-checking will continue outside the U.S. until the new system is fully implemented.
The introduction of Community Notes has elicited mixed reactions. While some see it as a more democratic approach to fact-checking, others worry that it could exacerbate misinformation by relying on user consensus rather than expert verification. The decision to discontinue traditional fact-checking has been criticised by experts, who argue that it removes a crucial resource for users and lends credibility to the narrative that fact-checking is politically biased.