Instagram's Threads has unveiled plans to launch its proprietary fact-checking tool to tackle misinformation on its platform.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the spread of false information ahead of major elections in the US and India, as well as ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Threads to Get Its Own Fact-Checking Program
Instagram's Head, Adam Mosseri, who is also in charge at Threads, announced the launch of the new fact-checking program.
Mosseri revealed that Threads recently introduced the ability for third-party fact-checkers to review and rate false content directly on the platform.
"Previously, we matched near-identical false content on Threads based on what was fact-checked on Facebook and Instagram. Now fact-checkers can rate Threads content on its own," Mosseri said in the announcement.
The initiative follows Meta's initial plans, announced in December 2023, to implement direct fact-checking for Threads. This highlights the company's commitment to curbing misinformation within its ecosystem.
SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: In this photo illustration, the Threads logo is displayed on a cell phone on July 05, 2023 in San Anselmo, California. Instagram parent company Meta is set to release Threads on July 6, a potential rival to Twitter, the fledgling social media app run by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Can It Perform Better Than X's Community Notes?
However, the effectiveness of the new tool remains to be seen, especially in light of past challenges faced by similar initiatives, such as X's Community Notes.
X's Community Notes, introduced in 2021 as part of its efforts to combat misinformation, faced criticism for its limited visibility and effectiveness in addressing false information.
Reports tell us that despite being a part of X's tools against misinformation, Community Notes struggled to achieve consensus across ideological lines, limiting their impact in combating false narratives.
X's Community Notes even faced criticism from Elon Musk himself, who recently noted its failure to effectively address misinformation. Musk's criticism of X's system originated from his dissatisfaction with a Windows PC laptop's requirement to create a Microsoft account.
The launch of Threads' fact-checking tool raises questions about its potential to outperform X's Community Notes. While Threads' direct approach to fact-checking aims to address misinformation more effectively on its platform, concerns linger about the tool's global reach and its ability to handle the influx of false information, especially during critical periods like elections.
It is worth noting that Instagram's parent company, Meta, has faced numerous allegations of aiding the spread of fake news. Recently, the European Union announced potential sanctions against Meta for its inadequate efforts in combating Russian misinformation ahead of the June EU elections.
As Threads forges ahead with its fact-checking initiative, attention also turns to the ongoing national elections in countries like India, where Facebook and Instagram hold massive user bases.
