Meta Discontinues Fact-Checking Program in the U.S.

Meta has announced the termination of its fact-checking program in the United States, effective Monday afternoon, as stated by Joel Kaplan, the company's Global Affairs Officer. This shift marks a significant change in how the tech giant addresses misinformation on its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.

In recent years, Meta had relied on dedicated teams that scrutinized content for false information and flagged it accordingly. However, earlier this year, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, indicated a pivot away from collaborating with independent fact-checkers. Instead, the company plans to implement a user-driven model known as Community Notes, similar to a feature recently adopted by X (formerly Twitter).

The move has been justified by Zuckerberg, who criticized previous fact-checkers for perceived political bias, arguing that their presence may have eroded trust among users in the United States. The announcement comes at a time marked by significant political shifts, including the onset of a new administration.

Meta's fact-checking initiative was initially introduced in response to widespread concerns regarding the dissemination of false information across its platforms. However, the company has faced challenges in other regions, particularly within the European Union, where regulatory frameworks like the Digital Services Act impose strict guidelines on handling illegal content and misinformation.

Starting Monday, users will experience a new environment characterized by a lack of formal fact-checking and no oversight from dedicated fact-checkers. Meta has signaled that the sharing of misinformation will no longer carry consequences for users on its platforms. Instead, the emphasis will shift towards the Community Notes feature, which will gradually be integrated into Facebook, Threads, and Instagram.