TikTok Debuts ‘Footnotes’ Crowdsourced Fact-Checking Program in US

TikTok has rolled out ‘Footnotes,’ a crowdsourced fact-checking feature, to all U.S. users, marking the short-video platform’s most ambitious attempt yet to curb misinformation. The pilot program allows eligible users—those over 18 who have been on the app for at least six months without recent policy violations—to write contextual notes on videos and rate the helpfulness of others’ submissions. According to the company, about 80,000 U.S. participants are already cleared to contribute, and every user can view notes that earn a high helpfulness score. The system resembles X’s Community Notes and similar community-moderation tools being tested by Meta and YouTube. TikTok says Footnotes complements, rather than replaces, its existing network of more than 20 International Fact-Checking Network–accredited partners. Speaking at the New York launch, Erica Ruzic, global head of integrity and authenticity product, said the team will monitor linked sources and voting patterns to prevent manipulation while refining criteria for authoritative references.