Elon Musk’s X expands fact-checking program ahead of Indian elections

X, owned by Elon Musk, announced its support for posting Community Notes, a crowd-sourced fact-checking program, ahead of India’s national elections. This initiative aims to provide more context to popular posts, debunk myths, and offer broader insights. The first Indian contributors will begin posting notes today, with plans to accept more over time. Community Notes, previously known as Birdwatch, has expanded to 69 countries, with India being one of the last major markets for the program to enter.

Despite efforts to combat misinformation, X’s Community Notes program has faced challenges controlling the spread of false information, which is particularly significant given India’s complex multilingual political landscape and the upcoming elections. Although the platform has not made specific announcements regarding its efforts for the Indian elections, many social media platforms are ramping up measures to address potential misinformation during the election period.

X has had a contentious relationship with the Indian government, notably engaging in legal battles over content censorship. Last year, the platform reinstated political ads after a previous ban, reflecting ongoing tensions with authorities. However, Elon Musk has acknowledged India’s strict social media regulations, emphasising the company’s adherence to local laws. Moreover, earlier this year, X complied with government orders to withhold certain accounts and posts related to farmers’ protests in India.