WASHINGTON: Meta will begin testing its X-style Community Notes on March 18th. The feature will roll out on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads in the US.
However, Meta won’t publish the notes publicly at first as it tests the writing and rating system.
Meta announced in January that it would replace its fact-checking program with Community Notes, claiming it would be “less prone to bias.” Around 200,000 potential contributors have joined the waitlist. Not everyone will be able to write or rate notes at launch, as Meta plans to “gradually and randomly” admit contributors.
Meta is adopting X’s approach, allowing contributors to write and rate notes. Notes won’t be published unless contributors with varying viewpoints broadly agree on them. Meta is using X’s open-source algorithm for its rating system.
Meta explained that when it launched its fact-checking program in 2016, it aimed to avoid being the arbiters of truth and relied on expert organizations. However, it said experts, like anyone else, have political biases and perspectives.
Community Notes will have a 500-character limit and must include a supporting link. At first, the notes will be visible without author names attached. Meta wants ratings to be based on the helpfulness of the content, not the author.
To contribute, users must be over 18, have an account in good standing for at least six months, and have a verified phone number or two-factor authentication. Contributors won’t be able to write notes on ads initially, but can add notes to posts from Meta, its executives, politicians, and others.
Community Notes will be available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Portuguese. Meta will continue using its third-party fact-checking system outside the US but plans to expand Community Notes globally in the future.
