TikTok has begun testing a brand new characteristic known asFootnotes in the USA — a transfer that echoes related instruments likeGroup Notes utilized by X and extra just lately by Meta. The characteristic, introduced on Wednesday, goals to carry extra context and readability to movies shared on the platform by permitting customers to contribute related background data or explanations.
The concept is straightforward: assist viewers higher perceive the content material they’re consuming, particularly relating to reliability and accuracy. In accordance with TikTok’s head of operations and belief and security, Adam Presser,Footnotes is a part of a broader push to advertise reliable content material on the app. “It should add to our suite of measures that assist individuals perceive the reliability of content material and entry authoritative sources,” Presser defined in a weblog submit. That suite already consists of issues like content material labels, search banners and fact-checking initiatives.
Curiously, the addition ofFootnotes additionally indicators TikTok’s rising curiosity in crowdsourced moderation instruments, an method that is been gaining traction throughout main social media platforms. Earlier this 12 months, Meta started trialling its personalGroup Notes within the US, powered by know-how developed by Elon Musk’s X.
To recall, this replace lands at a delicate time for TikTok. Regardless of being utilized by practically half of all People, the app’s future within the US remains to be unsure. A legislation handed in 2024 requires its China-based dad or mum firm, ByteDance, to promote the app by 19 January. The deadline, nevertheless, has been prolonged once more, with former President Donald Trump just lately confirming that negotiations for a deal are nonetheless ongoing.
As forFootnotes, TikTok mentioned that eligible customers within the US can now apply to grow to be contributors. To qualify, customers should be over 18, have had their account for greater than six months, and have a clear current historical past with no neighborhood pointers violations.
(With inputs from Reuters)
