Facebook VS. Corona

[SaraGonzales]

Facebook Adds New Measures to Limit the Spread of COVID-19 Misinformation

It's hard not to be somewhat skeptical about Facebook's enhanced efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 misinformation across its platforms.

Not from a practical standpoint, of course - false information about the virus and its spread can have significant consequences, and there's absolutely a clear need to address such. But the skepticism is more around how proactive Facebook has been in working to stamp out COVID-19 misinformation, which it hasn't been for other misleading and untrue reports in the past.

In the latest on this front, Facebook is introducing two new measures to choke the circulation of coronavirus fake news.

First, Facebook is going to start showing users who've shared reports that have later been found to be untrue a new link to official information in their News Feeds, in the hopes that it can clarify any potential misunderstanding. Second, Facebook's adding a new section to its COVID-19 Information Center called "Get the Facts" which will highlight fact-checked articles from partners that debunk false information about the coronavirus.

Facebook fact-checking COVID-19
These are good, logical measures, and again, they further expand on Facebook's aggressive efforts to stop the spread of potentially harmful COVID-19 lies and conspiracy theories.

But it does beg the question - if Facebook can take such a strong stance on COVID-19 fake news, why can't it do the same for all types of false reports and lies, based on fact-checks.

The answer, of course, is that it can, but there are various reasons why this is not entirely feasible for every untrue claim and report.

[saravanan28]

Thanks for sharing this.