TikTok adopts crowd‑sourced verification tool to combat misinformation
Footnotes supplements professional fact-checking and label-based content policing already employed on the platform.
TikTok has rolled out Footnotes in the United States, its crowd‑sourced debunking initiative to supplement existing misinformation controls.
Vetted contributors will write and rate explanatory notes beneath videos flagged as misleading or ambiguous. If a note earns broad support, it becomes visible to all US users.
The system uses a ‘bridging‑based’ ranking framework to encourage agreement between users with differing viewpoints, making the process more robust and reducing partisan bias. Initially launched as a pilot, the platform has already enlisted nearly 80,000 eligible US users.
Footnotes complements TikTok’s integrity setup, including automated detection, human moderation, and partnerships with fact‑checking groups like AFP. Platform leaders note that effectiveness improves as contributors engage more across various topics.
Past research shows comparable crowd‑sourced systems often struggle to publish most submissions, with fewer than 10% of Notes appearing publicly on other platforms. Concerns remain over the system’s scalability and potential misuse.
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