Meta Just Put Misinformation on the Fast Track
Meta’s latest move is clear: fact-checkers are out, virality is in. By scrapping its U.S. fact-checking program while paying bonuses for engagement, the company is financially incentivizing misinformation. What could possibly go wrong?
Meta is phasing out third-party fact-checking in the U.S., replacing it with a crowdsourced system similar to X’s Community Notes. At the same time, it’s reviving a bonus program for viral content, meaning pages that spread falsehoods can now get paid.
Already, fake posts are spreading faster, including fabricated government policies and AI-generated clickbait. This shift benefits overseas misinformation networks, which have racked up millions of followers by pushing false political narratives.
- No more fact-check penalties, meaning misinformation spreads unchecked.
- Financial incentives for viral content, even if it’s fake.
- Overseas-run hoax pages are already gaming the system.
With misinformation now a profitable business model, how do we ensure truth wins in an algorithm-driven world?
Read the full article on TechCrunch.
----
💡 If you enjoyed this content, be sure to download my new app for a unique experience beyond your traditional newsletter.
This is one of many short posts I share daily on my app, and you can have real-time insights, recommendations and conversations with my digital twin via text, audio or video in 28 languages! Go to my PWA at app.thedigitalspeaker.com and sign up to take our connection to the next level! 🚀