X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, has announced the launch of community notes in India, with the first set of contributors joining the platform. Community notes function as a fact-checking feature, allowing select users to add informative notes below specific posts to combat misinformation and provide context.
Elon Musk confirmed the rollout of community notes in India, emphasizing their role in preventing the spread of misinformation on the platform. Initially, contributors will have the ability to rate notes, with the potential to write their notes as they gain experience. This feature covers text posts, images, and videos.
Community notes have already been available in over 69 countries and are being introduced in India, coinciding with the general election period. This move is expected to bolster efforts to curb misinformation on the platform. The feature was initially launched in December 2022 for text posts, limited to select countries like the US.
Interested users can apply to become contributors through the company’s official website, provided they meet certain eligibility criteria. This includes maintaining a profile free of rule violations on X since January 2023, possessing an account at least six months old, having a verified phone number from a trusted carrier, and ensuring the account is not linked to any other Community Notes account.
Companies like Google and Meta are also implementing measures to combat fake news, misinformation, and hate speech in India. Google has introduced fact-checking tools in Hindi, while Meta is utilizing generative AI technology to identify deep fake content and investing in consumer awareness campaigns. These initiatives reflect a broader industry trend towards promoting online safety and accuracy.
