Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced a major shift in how content is moderated on its platform in the United States. Fact-checkers will be replaced by a new system called “Community Notes,” inspired by a similar feature on X (formerly Twitter).
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, explained the decision: “We’re returning to our roots by reducing errors, simplifying policies, and restoring freedom of speech across our platforms,” he said in a video statement.
Starting in the U.S., Facebook will eliminate external fact-checkers. Instead, users will contribute to contextualizing potentially misleading posts by adding Community Notes. This feature was first introduced on X after it was acquired by Elon Musk in 2022.
Zuckerberg elaborated: “We’re replacing fact-checkers with Community Notes, following the model used by X. Users will collaborate to add context directly to posts, allowing the community to decide which notes are relevant and helpful.”
In this system, contributors can leave notes on any post. If enough users from diverse perspectives agree that a note is useful, it becomes publicly visible on the post. The goal is to crowdsource moderation, empowering users to identify misleading content collaboratively.
However, this approach has its limitations. Community Notes may not always catch misinformation. Due to these concerns, Meta is hesitant to roll out the feature in the European Union. The company told Politico it would continue working with fact-checkers in the EU while reviewing its content moderation obligations under local regulations.
The decision aligns with Meta’s effort to anticipate the priorities of a potential Trump administration, in which Elon Musk is expected to play a role in improving government efficiency. Meta has also recently appointed several Republicans to its leadership, including Trump ally Dana White. This suggests that combating censorship and promoting free speech may become central themes in future U.S. governance.
