Meta’s Fact-Checking Shift: Global Guardrails Stay as U.S. Adopts Community Notes

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, plans to maintain its fact-checking program outside the United States for the foreseeable future. This decision comes amidst changes in the U.S., where Meta will replace its traditional fact-checkers with a community notes system, similar to the one used by Elon Musk's platform, X. The announcement, made at Davos by Meta's head of global business, Nicola Mendelsohn, highlights the company's ongoing efforts to address misinformation on its platforms.

Meta's fact-checking program was established over several years in response to widespread criticism over the proliferation of false information. The program aimed to combat deceptive content and uphold the integrity of information shared on social media. However, with the new administration in the White House, Meta has announced changes to its fact-checking approach, opting for a system that engages user participation in the U.S.

The community notes system relies heavily on user input to flag potential misinformation. This participatory model represents a shift from professional fact-checkers to a broader, community-driven approach. While Meta is keen on exploring this model in the U.S., it may face significant challenges, particularly in Europe, where the Digital Services Act (DSA) poses regulatory hurdles. The DSA is a regulation designed to curb deceptive content, and its stringent requirements may complicate Meta's plans for rolling out the community notes system outside the U.S.

Nicola Mendelsohn acknowledged potential challenges ahead but expressed optimism about the future of the initiative.

“We’ll see how that goes as we move it out over the years,” – Nicola Mendelsohn

The changes were first reported by Bloomberg on Monday following Mendelsohn's remarks at Davos. The company's decision to maintain traditional fact-checking overseas while experimenting with community notes domestically suggests a cautious yet innovative approach to managing misinformation.

Meta has not ruled out expanding its fact-checking program to other countries in due course. As it navigates complex regulatory landscapes such as the DSA in Europe, the company remains committed to refining its strategies for ensuring accurate information across its platforms.