Meta replaces fact check: is the era of false information now?

Meta replaces fact check: is the era of false information now?

USA - On March 23, 2025, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced that it would do without professional facts in the USA. Instead, a new system called "Community Notes" is introduced, which should enable user -based moderation.

This innovative system aims to replace the previous fact check programs. Users are now invited to identify self -false or misleading statements. Regardless of this, some users fear that the destruction of professional control could lead to an increase in misinformation and propaganda. Others welcome this step as progress towards freedom of expression.

Details about "Community Notes"

The "Community Notes" are implemented on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and threads. The system applies exclusively to organic content, i.e. contributions, images, videos and texts that are not paid for. Paid advertising remains unaffected by this new regulation.

The system is introduced step by step and gives users the option of adding comments on misleading or in need of context. These comments go through a valuation process in which other users can assess their usefulness. Only comments with sufficient positive feedback and consensus are published. However, critics warn that this also carries the risk that content can be manipulated, in particular by organized groups.

Meta emphasizes that the "Community Notes" program is still in development and that changes are reserved. The goal is to promote the media literacy of the users and to enable a faster reaction to misinformation.

challenges and concerns

The decision by Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg raises many questions about controlling content. It remains unclear whether the elimination of professional content moderation favors the spread of fake news. The term "fake news" refers to false or misleading media content that experiences a worrying distribution on social media. Study show that more than 90% of users come into contact with potentially false information on social media.

Especially in politically eventful times, such as during the election Donald Trump 2016 and the Brexit referendum, numerous false reports were spread, often by malicious actors. Studies also show that little confidence in media institutions increases the recipility for fake news. In response to these phenomena, the EU has launched initiatives to combat disinformation.

users are therefore asked how the changes in content moderation influence their use of social media. There are questions about the credibility of information and possible boycott reasons for platforms. After all, it turns out that intensive widens of fake news often have high media literacy, but have deep distrust of established media. In order to address this, the promotion of media literacy is a decisive approach to combating misinformation.

summarized, the introduction of the "Community Notes" system shows how complex and challenging the topic of information control in social media is. The coming time will show to what extent this system users: inside helps to better evaluate the quality and reliability of information.

For more information about the background of fake news and its fight, please visit the pages of Krone , Xpert Digital and BPB .