City
Epaper

Facebook, Twitter fighting fake news linked to coronavirus

By IANS | Published: January 31, 2020 5:30 PM

With claims related to false cures or prevention methods for coronavirus, like drinking bleach cures infections, spreading on social media giants like Facebook and Twitter have started taking proactive measures to fight the spread of harmful content, apart from taking action against those who spread misinformation.

Open in App

Facebook said it is focusing on limiting the spread of misinformation and harmful content about the virus, while also connecting people to helpful information.

"Our global network of third-party fact-checkers are continuing their work reviewing content and debunking false claims that are spreading related to the coronavirus," Facebook's Head of Health Kang-Xing Jin wrote in a blog post.

"When they rate information as false, we limit its spread on Facebook and Instagram and show people accurate information from these partners. We also send notifications to people who already shared or are trying to share this content to alert them that it's been fact-checked," Jin added.

Twitter said it has invested significantly in its proactive abilities to ensure trends, search, and other common areas of the service are protected from malicious behaviour.

"As ever, those who engage in these practices will be removed from our service. We do not permit platform manipulation and we encourage people to think before sharing or engaging in deliberate attempts to undermine the public conversation," Twitter said in a blog post, adding that it has seen over 15 million tweets on #coronavirus in the past four weeks.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern.

Twitter said it is also halting any auto-suggest results that are likely to direct individuals to non-credible content on the platform.

"This is an expansion of our #KnowTheFacts prompt, which we specifically put in place for the public to find clear, credible information on immunisation and vaccination health," it added.

In collaboration with the WHO, Twitter is also working towards launching a dedicated search prompt for India to ensure that when an individual searches a hashtag they are immediately met with authoritative health information from the right sources up top, has learned.

Facebook said it is closely coordinating with leading health organisations to make it easier for people to connect with accurate information about the situation due to the coronavirus outbreak.

"For example, we will help people get relevant and up-to-date information from partners through messages on top of News Feed on Facebook; these will be deployed based on guidance from the WHO," the Facebook's Head of Health said.

Social media platform ShareChat said it has multiple third party fact checkers reviewing content across 12 languages.

"Any content found to be factually inaccurate is tagged as such on the platform and it's vitality is reduced," Berges Y Malu, Head - Public Policy, ShareChat, said in a statement.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: TwitterThe World Health OrganizationIans
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalEC Orders X To Immediately Take Down BJP Karnataka's 'Communal' Post

Social Viral‘Enjoyed Seeing Myself Dance’: PM Modi Reacts to Viral Spoof Video of Him Dancing (Watch)

EntertainmentMET Gala 2024: Kylie Jenner Steals Spotlight in Ethereal Pink Gown (Watch Video)

EntertainmentAnupam Kher: Real Wealth Goes Far Beyond Cars and Fame (Watch Video)

EntertainmentAnupam Kher Hails Jr NTR’s Work Says, ‘May He Keep Rising From Strength to Strength’ (See Tweet)

स्वास्थ्य Realted Stories

HealthRare brain infection PAM reported from Kerala, 5-yr-old on put on ventilator

HealthExercise can rejuvenate brain, delay cognitive decline: Study

HealthExplained: The rising burden of dengue in India

HealthBlood proteins that may predict cancer 7 years earlier identified

HealthWHO prequalifies Japanese drug maker Takeda's dengue vaccine