Meta has announced plans to introduce a new fact-checking feature called “Community Notes,” which will be powered by an open-source algorithm developed by Elon Musk’s platform, X. This marks a departure from Meta’s previous reliance on third-party fact-checkers, a system that faced substantial criticism, particularly from conservative circles, who claimed it labeled legitimate viewpoints as misinformation.
The move, revealed by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in January, aligns with broader trends within Big Tech to engage more with conservative voices following years of accusations of political bias. As President Donald Trump’s administration continues to influence tech policy, the shift has been met with praise from conservative groups, including Trump himself.
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However, misinformation experts have raised concerns about the new system. They argue that by relying on crowdsourced inputs, the platform risks exacerbating the spread of false information and fake news, as the accuracy of the facts may depend on the perspectives of contributors.
In a blog post on Thursday, Meta explained that using X’s algorithm would allow the Community Notes feature to evolve and improve based on user feedback and real-world testing. Meta acknowledged that the system might not be perfect at launch but committed to ongoing adjustments. “We’re building this in the open while learning from contributors and observing its real-world impact,” the company wrote. “Although we don’t expect immediate perfection, we will continue refining and adjusting our approach as we gain more insights.”
Meta’s adoption of a community-driven method for fact-checking represents a notable shift in how the company plans to tackle misinformation on its platforms in the future.
