This week: Meta axes fact-checkers, Lemon8 ?????TikTok, X prioritises entertaining content

Welcome to the Battenhall Weekly, Edition #47

1. Meta removes fact-checking system

Meta lit the blue touch paper this week by announcing the removal of its third-party fact-checking system across Facebook, Instagram and Threads, claiming that moderators were too “politically biased”. Instead it will introduce an X-style ‘community notes’ system, leaving it to users to check the veracity of content on the platforms. Other key changes include lifting restrictions on topics that are part of “mainstream discourse”, such as gender identity and race, and encouraging users to take a “personalised” approach to political content. Mark Zuckerberg said it’s “time to get back to our roots around free expression” although critics believe it is likely a ploy to appease incoming president Donald Trump, who has been critical of Meta in the past. The changes will launch in the US first, with no immediate plans for rollout in the UK and Europe.

2. ByteDance appeals to TikTok users and Trump ahead of potential ban

TikTok’s sister company Lemon8 has been sharing sponsored posts on TikTok amid the potential platform ban in the US. Lemon8’s goal is to encourage TikTok users to migrate over if they don’t receive support from incoming US President Donald Trump. The platform created an infographic highlighting how popular he has become on the app in hopes for Trump to take executive action. But with the inauguration taking place on January 20, one day after the ban comes into effect, there is not much Trump can do until he is in power. The US Supreme Court will meet tomorrow to decide if TikTok’s ban will be upheld.

3. Bluesky sign-ups revert to mean

Bluesky’s growth is slowing down following its massive surge of 20 million new users in November. The platform currently sits at just over 26 million users and analysts are seeing the follower growth start to normalise. The recent content moderation news at Meta this week, however, could spark a fresh wave of sign-ups. A larger user base brings its own issues of course, and users are expecting more policy updates to current platform issues, including bot accounts, moderation policy issues, and username squatting.

4. Meta takes down its AI character accounts

Meta has removed its AI character profiles from Facebook and Instagram after screenshots of user interactions went viral. After its launch in September 2023, most of the profiles were deleted by mid-2024, but a few remained active. Meta spokesperson said all profiles were managed by humans and during this time users were unable to block these profiles due to a bug. However, users can still generate their own AI chatbots with a disclaimer that chatbot messages may be inappropriate but it’s unclear whether they violate any policies.

5. X to prioritise entertaining content in algorithm

X owner, Elon Musk, announced an upcoming algorithm update designed to focus on informational and entertaining content. This updated approach aligns with Meta and TikTok’s algorithm by showing content to users based on their interests and engagements rather than showcasing the most popular pieces on their timelines.

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