TikTok Launches Footnotes for Crowdsourced Fact-Checking in the U.S.

What's Happening?

TikTok has introduced Footnotes, a crowdsourced fact-checking system, to U.S. users. This feature allows contributors to write and rate Footnotes on TikTok videos, aiming to provide more context and information. The system uses a bridging algorithm to find consensus among users with different views, enhancing the reliability of the notes. Nearly 80,000 U.S. users have qualified as contributors, and the initiative is part of TikTok's broader effort to combat misinformation on its platform.

Why It's Important?

Footnotes represent TikTok's commitment to addressing misinformation, a critical issue as the platform becomes a popular news source for young people. By involving users in the fact-checking process, TikTok aims to create a more informed community and reduce the spread of false information. This initiative could influence other social media platforms to adopt similar strategies, potentially reshaping how misinformation is managed online.

What's Next?

TikTok plans to expand Footnotes beyond the U.S., potentially increasing its global impact on misinformation. The effectiveness of the program will depend on TikTok's ability to prevent manipulation by bad actors. As the feature evolves, TikTok may refine its criteria for reliable sources and improve the speed of note submission and review.