THIS WEEK: Can Community Notes replace fact-checkers?
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Welcome to Battenhall Weekly, Edition #57!
Earlier this week, Meta launched its new Community Notes program in the US. This replaces its previous system of independent, third-party human fact-checkers, which reviews all content for misinformation. Instead it will revert to an X-style system where users of Facebook, Instagram and Threads will add their own context Notes on content. For now, only content originating in the US will be eligible to receive Notes, and US accounts will be the only users who can access the feature.
Social media platforms will now face hefty fines under the UK’s Online Safety Act if they fail to curb content around fraud, terrorism and child abuse. This week, UK comms regulator Ofcom released its code of conduct, featuring 130 ‘priority offences’, including child online safety, user harassment and tools to prevent sharing harmful images. Companies that breach the act will be hit by penalties of up to ￡18m or 10% of the platform’s global revenue.
Oracle is reportedly the frontrunner to partner with TikTok in the US. The American tech company has submitted a proposal that would see Oracle handle security and operations of the platform, while its parent company ByteDance retains control of the prized TikTok algorithm. The deal aims to secure US user data to align with the country’s Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has revealed his messaging platform has surpassed more than 1 billion monthly active users – up from 950 million last year. He also took a swipe at Meta by calling WhatsApp a “cheap, watered down imitation,” claiming that it has copied all of Telegram’s best features. Last year, Durov was arrested and detained in France while authorities investigated Telegram’s content moderation practices. He has since been released and returned to Dubai.
Reddit is introducing a feature that enables users to hide ads from specific advertisers for at least a year, with the option to hide them again if they reappear. This update will be rolled out across Android / iOS mobile apps and the website to give users more control over the ads they see. Reddit users also have the option to report ads that violate the platform’s policies.
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