Meta's Decision to End Third-Party Fact-Checking Raises Alarms for India

New Delhi: Meta has announced the termination of its third-party fact-checking program in the US, shifting to a community-driven approach. The company will rely on user-generated “Community Notes” to assess the accuracy of content across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

This model, inspired by Elon Musk’s adoption of a similar approach on Twitter, involves users evaluating the quality of fact-checking based on various criteria. Experts have raised concerns that this shift could exacerbate the spread of misinformation and disinformation, potentially undermining the integrity of content moderation on Meta's platforms.

Phil Bloomer, executive director at the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, warned that the rise of conflict and authoritarianism globally often thrives on disinformation and fear-mongering.

Angie Drobnic Holan, director of the International Fact-Checking Network, also expressed disappointment, noting that Meta's current fact-checking model adheres to a Code of Principles emphasizing nonpartisanship and transparency. She also suggested that the change was influenced by political pressure, particularly from the current administration.

While this transition is currently limited to the US, experts are concerned that it could soon extend to other markets, including India. In India, Meta collaborates with several independent fact-checking organizations to monitor content, and experts worry that shifting to a community-based model could undermine these efforts.

Pratishtha Arora, CEO of Social and Media Matters, warned that community checks may not align with technical standards, and platforms often fail to act promptly on flagged content.

The move may also impact India’s fact-checking ecosystem, forcing organizations to either shift to independent projects or shut down due to the withdrawal of Meta’s financial and technical support.

Meta plans to gradually roll out the new system in the US, replacing downranked content with labels indicating the availability of additional information, thereby reducing user frustration and simplifying content regulation.

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