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Meta to Launch “Community Notes” in the U.S. Using X’s Algorithm

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Meta will begin testing its new Community Notes feature in the U.S. starting March 18, utilizing technology from Elon Musk’s X, the company announced on Thursday. This move comes two months after Meta scrapped its fact-checking program under pressure from conservatives, signaling a shift from traditional fact-checking to a crowd-sourced model.

The feature will allow users to write and rate notes to flag false or misleading content across Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, effectively replacing the third-party fact-checkers that were previously responsible for content moderation. 200,000 U.S. users have already signed up as potential contributors to the new system.

Meta’s switch to the Community Notes program represents a significant overhaul in its approach to content management. The company has been keen to improve its relationship with the Trump administration, which has criticized social media platforms for silencing conservative voices. President Donald Trump praised Meta’s decision in January, acknowledging the shift toward a more inclusive and less biased content moderation process.

To power Community Notes, Meta will adopt X’s open-source algorithm, which was originally developed as part of X’s Birdwatch feature. The system, now known as Community Notes, allows users to contribute and vote on content’s accuracy. Meta’s version will limit notes to 500 characters and initially support six languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Portuguese. Notes will remain anonymous and will be published only if users with differing viewpoints agree that the note provides helpful context.

Contributors must be over 18 and include a supporting link when posting notes. Meta has emphasized that this system will be less biased than the previous third-party fact-checking method. Once the new system is in place, third-party fact-check labels will no longer appear on U.S. content.

Meta, which boasts over 3 billion global users, continues to collaborate with nearly 100 certified fact-checking organizations across 60+ languages, according to the company.

UK Launches Inquiry into TikTok and Reddit Regarding Children’s Personal Data Handling

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UK Privacy Watchdog Investigates TikTok, Reddit, and Imgur Over Children’s Data Practices

On Monday, the UK’s privacy regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), launched an investigation into how TikTok, Reddit, and the online image-sharing platform Imgur handle children’s privacy. This probe focuses on ensuring that these platforms are adequately safeguarding the personal data of minors, particularly in light of the growing concerns around digital privacy and the impact of online content on young users.

The ICO’s investigation centers on the use of complex algorithms by these social media platforms, which prioritize content and keep users engaged. While these algorithms help users discover relevant content, they can also expose children to harmful material by amplifying similar content. The watchdog is particularly concerned about how TikTok, operated by the Chinese company ByteDance, uses the personal data of users aged 13 to 17 to suggest content on their feeds.

In addition to TikTok, the ICO is also investigating Reddit and Imgur for how they assess the age of child users. Both platforms, which host a variety of user-generated content, need to ensure they are accurately identifying and protecting underage users, as the use of personal data without appropriate safeguards could violate privacy laws. The ICO has made it clear that if any violations are found, it will hold these companies accountable and seek their input before reaching a final decision.

The investigation follows a previous issue in 2023, when the ICO fined TikTok GBP 12.7 million (approximately $16 million or Rs. 139 crore) for breaching data protection laws by improperly using the personal data of children under 13 without obtaining parental consent. This investigation marks the ICO’s ongoing efforts to ensure that social media platforms adhere to stringent privacy standards, especially when it comes to protecting younger users.

Digg Set for AI-Driven Comeback with Rose and Ohanian at the Helm

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Digg, the once-popular content aggregator that was a major player in the early days of social media, is making a comeback with a new AI-powered approach. Co-founder Kevin Rose has joined forces with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian to acquire Digg, betting on artificial intelligence to revitalize the platform that once attracted around 40 million monthly visitors.

Launched in 2004 by Rose, Digg was considered the “homepage of the internet” and a major competitor to Reddit, which Ohanian co-founded. However, after its 2012 acquisition by Betaworks, Digg’s popularity declined, and its most valuable assets, including patents, were sold to LinkedIn. The platform then shifted its focus to curating news.

Rose and Ohanian, who bought Digg for an undisclosed sum, plan to use their social media expertise and restore the site’s nostalgic early interface. One of the key features of the original Digg was the ability for users to “digg” or “bury” content—an early precursor to the viral content curation techniques used by today’s social media platforms.

The duo’s vision for the new Digg includes utilizing AI-driven content curation to tackle challenges like misinformation and toxic discourse, ensuring that the platform remains a positive space for users. Rose explained that AI could serve as a helpful “co-pilot” to both users and moderators, enhancing human conversation rather than replacing it.

The revamped Digg will soon send out invites for early access, entering a crowded social media market where smaller platforms like Pinterest compete for ad revenue and user engagement against larger players like Meta. Rose’s long-time collaborator, Justin Mezzell, with a background in Google and Facebook, will take over as Digg’s CEO.

The acquisition is supported by venture capital firms True Ventures, where Rose is a partner, and Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six. Rose will also serve as Digg’s board chair and key advisor. In addition to his role in Digg, Ohanian has joined a bid led by former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations.