TikTok has launched a new feature in the US aimed at combating misinformation — “Footnotes,” a public fact-checking platform inspired by similar initiatives from X (formerly Twitter) and Meta.

The feature, which was piloted back in April, allows approved users to add written notes with context to videos that contain misleading or false information. Users can both suggest notes and rate their usefulness.

“Footnotes relies on the collective knowledge of the TikTok community to provide accurate and relevant information,” said Adam Presser, the platform’s director of operations and trust.

About 80,000 US users who have been using TikTok for at least six months have already been admitted to the program. The new feature is expected to gradually expand to about 170 million users in the US.

TikTok said Footnotes will complement existing security measures, including labeling unverified information and partnerships with professional fact-checking organizations.

While the model is gaining traction in the tech sector, its effectiveness remains controversial. A recent study found that more than 90% of Community Notes on the X platform are never published, casting doubt on their real impact.

Researchers also warn that such features work best on topics with broad public consensus, while on controversial political issues there is a risk that users will be motivated by partisan bias. | BGNES