Meta replaces fact-checking program with X-like 'Community Notes' system
07 Jan 2025

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced major changes to its moderation policies.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that the firm will be discontinuing its fact-checking program with trusted partners, in favor of a community-driven system.

The new approach, much like X's Community Notes, is part of Meta's plan to simplify policies and enhance free expression on its platforms.

Shift toward user-led content moderation
New direction

Zuckerberg said that the recent election had a major impact on Meta's decision to alter its moderation policies.

He slammed "governments and legacy media" for reportedly calling for more censorship.

The CEO admitted that the complicated systems Meta had built for content moderation were error-prone, highlighting a need for change.

Continued commitment to content moderation
Policy refinement

Despite the policy changes, Zuckerberg assured that Meta will continue to aggressively moderate content pertaining to drugs, terrorism, and child exploitation.

He also revealed plans to eliminate some content policies around sensitive issues like immigration and gender.

The focus will now be on "high severity violations," with users being relied upon to report other violations.

Meta's trust and safety team relocates
Team move

Along with policy changes, Meta is also shifting its trust, safety and content moderation team from California to Texas.

Zuckerberg said content filters will be changed to require much higher confidence before taking down content.

This move is aimed at lowering the number of innocent people's posts and accounts that get accidentally taken down.

Meta's fact-checking program: A look back
Program history

Meta's first-ever fact-checking system, introduced on Facebook in 2016, depended on third-party fact-checkers who were certified by the International Fact-Checking Network and the European Fact-Checking Standards Network.

The program featured more than 90 organizations that would fact-check posts in over 60 languages.

In the US, the program included groups such as PolitiFact and Factcheck.org.