[ad_1] In a bid to tackle the spread of misinformation and fake news, WhatsApp recently imposed stricter limits on message forwarding. Messages that have been forwarded more than five times can now only be sent to one chat at a time. According to the company, this measure would help slow the spread of misinformation and […]
Category: misinformation
Facebook removes posts promoting anti-quarantine protests
[ad_1] Facebook says it will take down posts created through its Events tool if they encourage violating social distancing orders, but it may leave other Facebook posts, including groups about the protests, CNN reports. “We reached out to state officials to understand the scope of their orders, not about removing specific protests on Facebook,” the […]
Anti-5G cell tower attacks spread to the Netherlands
[ad_1] Cell tower attacks aren’t just a UK phenomenon. De Telegraaf reports (via Reuters) that attackers committed arson or sabotage against several cell towers in the Netherlands, four of them just in the past week. The incidents were likely fuelled by anti-5G panic, with at least one perpetrator spraying a slogan opposing the new wireless […]
Facebook’s lack of moderators is hurting its fight against misinformation
[ad_1] Facebook has previously warned that it’s been unable to rely on many of its human content moderators, most of whom are contractors and not able to work from home, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the company has been relying heavily on its automated systems, which use artificial intelligence to flag potential violations. Several […]
WhatsApp imposes even stricter limits on message forwarding
[ad_1] At a time people are more reliant on messaging platforms than ever before, WhatsApp has introduced new measures in a bid to limit the spread of fake news. If you receive a frequently forwarded message – one that’s been forwarded more than five times and identifiable with a double arrow icon – you’ll only […]
YouTube will remove videos falsely linking COVID-19 to 5G
[ad_1] Instead, YouTube said it was suppressing “borderline content” that could mislead people in “harmful ways,” such as conspiracy theories surrounding 5G and the virus by themselves. This includes both reduced recommendations for videos, pulling them from search results and stripping them of ad revenue. The moves come not long after a Guardian report that […]
Google invests $6.5 million to fight coronavirus-related misinformation
[ad_1] As one example, the company’s Google News Initiative will increase its support for First Draft. The organization has helped journalists cover the pandemic by providing an online coronavirus resource hub, as well as training and crisis simulations. Part of the new funding will also go to fact-checking non-profits like Full Fact and Maldita.es. According […]
Facebook’s new Messenger hub shares tips for staying connected virtually
[ad_1] Today, Facebook launched a new “Messenger Coronavirus Community Hub,” which so far basically just explains how people, communities and businesses can use Messenger to stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic. If you already use Messenger, this isn’t going to introduce any groundbreaking ideas or features. Instead, the hub will provide tips like how parents […]
Facebook opens Messenger to help governments offer coronavirus advice
[ad_1] Argentina’s Ministry of Health is one of the first to launch a Messenger experience using the new program. It enlisted Botmaker.com to create an app that can “answer questions from the public about coronavirus and … provide fast, reliable and official advice 24 hours a day,” Facebook wrote. It said that UNICEF and Pakistan’s […]
WhatsApp and WHO create a chatbot to share reliable coronavirus info
[ad_1] Yesterday, WhatsApp unveiled a coronavirus fact-checking hub in partnership with the WHO, UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme. That’s intended to share the latest news and advice related to COVID-19. The chatbot will go one step further and let users ask questions directly. WhatsApp also donated $1 million to support fact-checking organizations. To […]