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TikTok Tests New "Footnotes" Feature to Combat Misinformation
On Wednesday, TikTok announced that it is experimenting with a new feature called "Footnotes," which aims to enhance context for videos that could potentially mislead viewers.
Currently being tested in the U.S., where TikTok has approximately 170 million active users, this feature bears resemblance to the Community Notes introduced by X (formerly known as Twitter). However, TikTok plans to maintain its own fact-checking initiative to address misinformation, as stated by Adam Presser, the company’s head of operations, in a blog post.
"Footnotes will harness the knowledge of our TikTok community by enabling users to provide relevant information tied to content on our platform," Presser explained. He added that this initiative will complement existing measures designed to help users gauge the truthfulness of content, including content labels, search banners, the company’s fact-checking program, and more.
Eligible adult users in the U.S. who have remained active on TikTok for at least six months and have adhered to community guidelines are invited to apply as contributors to the Footnotes feature. These contributors will also have the opportunity to evaluate Footnotes submitted by others.
Footnotes that are marked as "helpful" will be showcased on the platform, and all users will be able to vote on their usefulness, according to Presser. He emphasized that whether the content addresses complex scientific concepts, presents statistics that may distort a subject, or discusses updates regarding current events, additional context can significantly enhance understanding. "This is the reason we are launching Footnotes," he added.
The introduction of Footnotes is intended to bolster TikTok’s current integrity efforts, which include marking unverifiable content and partnering with fact-checking organizations like AFP to ensure the accuracy of posts.
Earlier this year, Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) ceased its third-party fact-checking program in the United States, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg citing concerns over excessive censorship. Instead, Meta’s platforms will now implement Community Notes, which is a user-moderated tool similar to what X has introduced. However, researchers have raised questions about the effectiveness of crowd-sourced moderation in tackling misinformation.
Former President Donald Trump’s supporters, among others, have alleged—without evidence—that conservative viewpoints are being suppressed under the pretext of combating false information, a statement that independent fact-checkers dispute.
As TikTok rolls out its Footnotes feature, its parent company, ByteDance, is under pressure to sell the app or face a ban in the United States. Trump indicated that a deal for TikTok’s sale was in progress, but new tariffs imposed by Washington on Beijing complicated the situation. ByteDance has confirmed ongoing discussions with the U.S. government regarding possible solutions but cautioned that significant issues remain to be resolved.
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