Meta’s adoption of a ‘Musk playbook’ approach raises concerns over misinformation.

WASHINGTON - 9 JAN - Meta’s recent decision to replace professional fact-checkers in the United States with a crowd-sourced moderation system, known as "Community Notes," has sparked widespread concern among researchers over the potential spread of misinformation. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the shift, acknowledging it could lead to "catching less bad stuff" on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Critics fear the move mirrors Elon Musk's approach on X (formerly Twitter), where similar tools have failed to contain misinformation effectively, particularly in politically charged contexts.

Researchers warn that while crowd-sourced moderation can be a helpful supplement, it lacks the reliability of professional fact-checking, especially on divisive topics. Studies suggest that such systems often reflect the biases of the majority, increasing the risk of harmful misinformation. Advocacy groups have also criticized Meta for lowering its standards on hate speech and harassment, arguing that these changes make its platforms unsafe for marginalized groups.