Meta is launching a new crowdsourced content moderation tool called Community Notes to replace fact checking by third parting in the U.S. This tool will provide additional context on content while using an open-source algorithm from Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter).
The company revealed in a blog post that while the new feature uses X’s algorithm, they intend to adjust that algorithm as time goes by to better suit their own platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Threads.
This Collaboration with X allows meta to improve the existing model through potential tweaks for ranking and rating notes.
How Community Notes Works
Meta’s Community Notes is said to allow users to contribute extra context for content if they think it needs further clarification. However, these notes won’t change how widely the content gets shared or seen by others. Users can’t submit notes for ads, but can do so for posts by public figures, Meta execs, or politicians.
This feature makes sure solo contribution is not accepted meaning there must be agreement from multiple users, which helps prevent manipulation from organized campaigns.
Still, experts like Neil Johnson, a professor at George Washington University, show concern that the system could be misused by certain groups with their own biases.
The Plan for Testing and Expanding
The program will begin testing in the U.S next week and already, 200,000 people have signed up to contribute. Meta plans to get this feature nationwide once the beta test phase is done and the system performs well as intended.
However, the company has made it clear that Community Notes is not a replacement for official fact checking, but rather acts as an extra aide providing added context.
Nonetheless, Meta’s decision to use X’s open-source technology shows growing practice of using community-driven content moderation while maintaining transparency and privacy for users.
However, the success of this tool depends on how good they can balance fairness and accuracy and whether the adjustments to the algorithm meet the evolving needs of its platforms.
