Meta tests community notes feature using X's technology for misinformation monitoring

In the United States, on March 18, 2025, Meta is set to begin testing a community notes feature designed to counter misinformation across its platforms, namely Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. This initiative will utilize technology developed by Elon Musk's X, employing a similar open-source algorithm used for X's Community Notes. Meta plans to incorporate modifications over time to tailor the algorithm for its platforms, which signify a shift in Meta's approach to content moderation, particularly after moving away from third-party fact-checking. Currently, approximately 200,000 individuals have signed up as potential community contributors to this initiative. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, introduced this concept in January, marking it as a preferred replacement for the third-party fact-checking service that the company had previously shuttered as part of broader changes in content moderation policies. Notably, contributors to the community notes won't be able to submit notes on advertisements, focusing instead on general content, including posts by public figures and company executives. This move is aimed at increasing the broader community's involvement in content moderation and reducing reliance on a limited number of experts. This community notes program intends to highlight misleading and false information while still ensuring that the basic distribution of content remains unaffected by notes. In previous mitigation systems, flagged content faced penalties, but the current approach only aims to enhance the context without detracting from visibility. Despite assurances about the algorithm's resistance to manipulation, experts have previously warned that the model could be susceptible to exploitation by organized groups. Therefore, the methodology of publishing community notes requires consensus among multiple contributors to mitigate such risks. Meta has expressed a commitment to continuously learn and improve the community notes system based on external research and initial feedback. In parallel, they are cautious about prematurely releasing notes until they are confident of its effectiveness. The testing phase is a crucial step in assessing whether this crowdsourced model can provide a viable solution to the challenges posed by misinformation distributed through social media channels. As the feature rolls out, its adaptation and user feedback will be vital in shaping the future of content moderation on Meta's platforms.