The social media platform Threads is in the process of developing a community notes feature that takes inspiration from X, previously known as Twitter. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, recently disclosed this new functionality, which is set to be integrated across Meta’s platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. This feature aims to replace traditional fact-checking teams with community-driven insights.
Community Notes Feature Under Development
Developer Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) shared on Threads that the Community Notes feature is currently accessible to select iOS users, with the added distinction of being an anonymous tool. Zuckerberg has indicated that this initiative will initially be rolled out in the United States and will supplant Meta’s existing fact-checking system. The timeline for a broader release to all users remains unconfirmed.
According to an image of a support document released by the company, the Community Notes feature allows users with varied viewpoints to comment on potentially misleading content or to provide additional context. Users may submit notes if they perceive a post to be inaccurate or obfuscated, offering background details, explanations, or personal insights. Notes deemed helpful by the community may eventually be published.
In a video address last week, Zuckerberg remarked on the prevalence of “too many mistakes and too much censorship” on social platforms, asserting the necessity for a return to prioritizing free expression. He highlighted the upcoming 2024 US Presidential election as a significant moment that calls for renewed emphasis on speech freedoms.
Additionally, Zuckerberg mentioned that Meta would cease the proactive scanning for hate speech and lift restrictions on discussions surrounding topics like immigration and gender, which he described as disconnected from mainstream conversations. Instead, moderation will focus on responding to user reports regarding content while concentrating automated systems on addressing severe violations, such as terrorism, child exploitation, scams, and drug-related content.
