Meta Adopts Musk’s Open-Source System to Launch Its Own Fact-Checking Tool Across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads
The rivalry between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk has taken an unexpected turn. What started as a near-showdown in a 2023 cage fight has now evolved into a surprising collaboration—at least in terms of technology.
On Thursday, Meta announced that it would adopt X’s open-source Community Notes algorithm to introduce a similar fact-checking system across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The move marks a major shift in Meta’s approach to content moderation, moving away from expert-led fact-checking toward a crowd-sourced model.
Meta’s Community Notes: Inspired by X
Set to launch in the U.S. on March 18, Meta’s new Community Notes feature will allow users to provide context on posts by adding explanations with supporting sources. The notes will be capped at 500 characters and must include a verifiable link.
This approach mirrors X’s Community Notes, which became widely used after Musk acquired the platform in 2022. Unlike traditional fact-checking programs that relied on expert organizations, X’s system depends on users to collaboratively assess the credibility of posts.
“As X’s algorithm and program information is open source—meaning free and available for anyone to use—we can build on what X has done, learn from the researchers who have studied it, and improve the system for our own platforms,” Meta wrote in a blog post.
While Meta plans to use X’s framework, it also intends to fine-tune the ranking and rating process for Community Notesas the feature evolves.
The End of Meta’s Traditional Fact-Checking Program
This shift in strategy comes after Meta announced in January that it would discontinue its independent fact-checking program. Previously, Meta partnered with organizations like The Associated Press to verify the accuracy of posts. However, the company now believes a crowd-sourced approach will provide more context and allow for broader participation.
Since the transition was announced, about 200,000 users have signed up to contribute to Community Notes across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. The program will initially launch in phases, eventually allowing contributors to add notes to posts from public figures, media outlets, and personal connections.
Unlike traditional fact-checking, these notes will be added anonymously and will not be applied to advertisements.
Is Meta’s Approach Effective?
X’s Community Notes model has already seen measurable success. A study from the University of California, San Diego, released in April 2024, found that X’s notes were almost always accurate and cited high-quality sources.
This suggests that Meta’s adoption of a similar system could enhance transparency and combat misinformation effectively—though execution will be key.
Musk and Zuckerberg: A Tech Rivalry Turned Mutual Influence?
While Meta may be leveraging Musk’s Community Notes system, the exchange of ideas isn’t one-sided. In April 2024, Meta released Llama 3, its latest AI model that is free for public use. That same month, Musk acknowledged the release, calling Meta’s AI “not bad” in a post on X—indicating a willingness to engage with the company’s innovations.
Despite their well-documented rivalry, it seems the two tech moguls are finding common ground in open-source technology—perhaps marking a new phase in their competitive yet intertwined relationship
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