Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger are launching a new news app called Artifact. The app aims to tackle misinformation and the spread of fake news by creating a space for trusted news sources and a community for people to engage in informed discussions. Artifact is expected to launch in the coming months, with a limited number of invited users getting early access to the app.
The app will feature content from a range of publications, including both established media outlets and up-and-coming news sources. Artifact’s team of editors will curate the content to ensure that it’s accurate and trustworthy. The app will also incorporate community-driven features, such as a commenting system that encourages users to engage in thoughtful, informed conversations about the news.
Systrom and Krieger left Instagram in 2018, shortly after Facebook acquired the social media platform. They’ve since been working on new projects, including the creation of a startup studio called Rt.live, which develops data-driven tools to help track the spread of COVID-19.
In a blog post announcing Artifact, Systrom and Krieger wrote, “There’s a massive gap in the market today between what most people believe and what’s actually true. We’re not going to solve that overnight, but we believe Artifact can be an important part of the solution.”
The news app space is already crowded, with established players like Apple News and Google News, as well as up-and-coming apps like News Break and SmartNews. However, Systrom and Krieger are betting that Artifact’s focus on community-driven content and its commitment to accurate news reporting will set it apart from the competition. Only time will tell whether Artifact will be a success, but given the track record of its co-founders, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.
