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As Meta gets rid of fact-checkers, misinformation is going viral
Meta is discontinuing its third-party fact-checking programs in the U.S., prompting concerns that misinformation will rise as new monetization strategies for viral content are introduced. CEO Mark Zuckerberg aims to adopt a community-driven approach to flag misleading posts instead of traditional moderation, potentially exacerbating the spread of false information online.
Key points
- Meta is phasing out third-party fact-checking, effective March.
- New policy allows creators to monetize viral content regardless of truthfulness.
- ProPublica warns that this could lead to increased misinformation.
- Content moderation is being deprioritized in favor of a community notes system.
- An example includes a viral, false claim regarding ICE that was spread after the announcement.
Why it matters
- The move parallels trends of decreasing content moderation seen on platforms like X.
- Misinformation is a growing concern in social media, relevant to the broader discussion of digital trust.
- The shift aligns with 2025 IT trends emphasizing user-generated content and the challenges of content verification.
Meta's decision to eliminate fact-checkers while incentivizing viral content creators raises significant concerns about misinformation's impact on social media, marking a pivotal moment in digital content regulation.