Meta Shelves US Fact-Checking Program, Adopts ‘Community Notes’ Model Similar to X
Meta Platforms announced on Tuesday that it is ending its fact-checking program in the United States and easing restrictions on contentious topics like immigration and gender identity. The decision, which comes ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, appears to address criticism from conservatives.
The changes mark a significant shift in how Meta handles political content across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, which together serve over 3 billion users worldwide. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has expressed a desire to repair relations with the incoming administration.
Leadership Changes and Policy Adjustments
Last week, Meta appointed Republican policy executive Joel Kaplan as its global affairs head. On Monday, it elected Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and a close Trump ally, to its board.
“We’ve made too many mistakes and imposed too much censorship. It’s time to return to our roots of free expression,” Zuckerberg said in a video, citing the recent US elections as a cultural turning point.
Trump welcomed the move during a press conference, describing Zuckerberg as “impressive” and hinting that the CEO’s actions might have been influenced by his threats, which included a vow to imprison Zuckerberg.
From Fact-Checking to Community Notes
In place of fact-checking, Meta will implement a “Community Notes” system similar to that of Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter). Additionally, Meta will stop proactively scanning for hate speech and other rule-breaking content, relying instead on user reports. Automated systems will focus on severe violations like terrorism, child exploitation, scams, and drug-related content.
Meta plans to relocate teams responsible for content policy development from California to Texas and other locations, though details remain unclear.
Reaction from Fact-Checking Partners
Meta’s decision to end its fact-checking program, launched in 2016, surprised its partner organizations. Agence France-Presse (AFP) called the announcement “a hard hit for the fact-checking community and journalism.” Angie Drobnic Holan, head of the International Fact-Checking Network, defended the program, stating it adds context to controversial claims rather than censoring them.
Kristin Roberts, Gannett Media’s chief content officer, emphasized that “truth and facts serve everyone — not the right or the left.”
Ross Burley, co-founder of the Centre for Information Resilience, criticized the move as “a step back for content moderation” and suggested it was politically motivated.
Limited to US, For Now
For now, the changes are limited to the US market. Meta has no immediate plans to end fact-checking in regions like the European Union, where regulations require tech companies to actively address illegal content.
The EU’s Digital Services Act, which came into effect in 2023, mandates platforms like Facebook and X to combat harmful content or face fines of up to 6% of global revenue. The European Commission, already investigating X’s Community Notes system, said it is monitoring Meta’s compliance.
Meta plans to roll out the Community Notes system in the US over the coming months, with improvements expected throughout the year.
