Meta Introduces Crowdsourced Fact-Checking to Replace Third-Party Moderation

Meta plans to test a Community Notes system on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, aiming to scale user-driven content moderation while discontinuing third-party fact-checking in the U.S.

Meta announced it will phase out third-party fact-checking on its platforms in the U.S., including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, replacing it with a Community Notes system inspired by X (formerly Twitter).
The Community Notes system will rely on user contributions to provide context to posts, with notes published only if contributors with differing viewpoints agree on their helpfulness.
Meta claims the new system will reduce bias and operate at a larger scale, but critics argue it may fail to match the quality and reach of professional fact-checking programs.
Unlike the previous fact-checking system, posts flagged with Community Notes will not face reduced visibility, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation.
Meta has enrolled approximately 200,000 U.S. users to test the system, but experts highlight challenges such as delayed note publication and potential reliance on now-defunded fact-checking resources.