Meta tests Community Notes in 16 Latin American countries

Meta has begun testing Community Notes in Spanish across 16 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. The tool, which is being rolled out to Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, allows users to collaboratively add context, correct data, or debunk misleading information on public posts.

This initiative serves as a move toward replacing professional journalistic fact-checking programs in the region, a transition Meta previously implemented in the United States. Under the new system, notes are written and rated by program contributors rather than Meta or professional fact-checkers. For a note to be published, a sufficient number of users must vote it as helpful.

The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has criticized the move, stating that Meta’s program “is not enough when it comes to reducing the impact of harmful falsehoods” on social networks. The 16 countries included in this trial are Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Brazil was not included in this phase.