Meta has activated fake news alerts starting today. Threads, which is now fact-checking shared news, is preparing to transition to a more reliable stage compared to its biggest rival, X. So, can Meta’s app rival X prevent fake news? Here are the details…
How will Threads prevent fake news?
With this feature, Threads may have taken a step to combat misinformation spreading leading up to local elections. After reports on verification programs observed by users on the network, Meta confirmed its collaboration with fact-checking organizations to address misinformation circulating on Threads.
However, the direct fact-checking of Threads content hasn’t been fully implemented yet. Meta announced in December that fact-checking partners would be able to directly review and rate misinformation on Threads in early 2024.
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Some users have tried out Threads’ fact-checking program
Meta stated that for now, Threads can only match existing fact-checks that have “almost the same content.” According to reports from users about verification programs, people are encountering a situation where Threads content is quickly subjected to the “verification program.”
The company reported that the authority for fact-checking organizations to directly rate content on Threads hasn’t been finalized yet, but it will be widespread very soon. Threads users gathered to verify a fake video generated by AI and noticed a warning label popping up at the bottom of the screen as a pop-up.
The warning message reads “Misinformation” and continues with the explanation, “The same misinformation has been reviewed by fact-checkers in another context. There may be slight differences.” Additionally, there’s a warning that “independent fact-checkers say this information is not based on facts.”
However, it doesn’t specify which fact-checking sources reached this conclusion. Below that, users can read the name of the fact-checking organization and the conclusion of the sources, reading “False,” since there are no additional details about the content and why it’s false.
Previously, it was found that verified accounts with blue checkmarks spread fake news on X, Elon Musk’s app. It even reached much higher visibility and influenced society to a significant extent. Meta, on the other hand, plans to adopt a more cautious approach towards news and the potential for misinformation.
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