Prime Highlights:
Meta’s new Community Notes tool will use the open-source algorithm developed by X (formerly Twitter) for its own content moderation program.
While starting with X’s open-source technology, Meta plans to adjust the algorithm to better suit Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Key Background:
Meta announced that its upcoming Community Notes tool, aimed at combating misinformation through crowdsourced moderation, will incorporate the open-source algorithm from Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter). The algorithm, which powers X’s own Community Notes program, will be used to help rank and rate content on Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. While Meta intends to build on this open-source foundation, the company plans to adapt the algorithm to better fit the unique needs of its platforms.
Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, introduced Community Notes in January as part of the company’s strategy to replace third-party fact-checking services in the U.S. This new tool will allow users to contribute context to various posts on Meta’s platforms, providing additional information to combat misleading or false claims. However, the program will exclude advertisements from being eligible for Community Notes. According to Meta’s blog post, contributors must meet specific requirements such as being over 18 and having a verified phone number. About 200,000 people have already signed up to participate, with the waitlist remaining open. The system will be tested in the U.S. starting next week, and while the notes won’t affect how content is distributed, they aim to offer more context without penalties or appeals for flagged content.
Although Meta emphasized that Community Notes is not a replacement for traditional content moderation, experts have expressed concerns about the potential for exploitation by coordinated groups. The company’s safeguards, including requiring agreement from multiple contributors before publishing a note, aim to mitigate such risks. Meta plans to refine the system based on feedback and may expand it nationwide once the initial testing phase concludes successfully.
