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Facebook has announced another step is taking to combat the spread of harmful hoaxes and misinformation about COVID-19 on its platforms.
It explained through Facebook’s Newsfeed, that users who interact with harmful COVID-19 claims would receive messages on coronavirus myths debunked by the World Health Orgnaisation (WHO) including misinformation that has led to physical harm.
This step aims to ensure that all Facebook users who may have interacted with harmful information about the virus get the truth from authoritative sources in case they encounter these claims again on Facebook.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Facebook disclosed that it has connected people to accurate information from health experts to keep harmful misinformation about the virus from spreading on its apps.
It pointed out that these efforts have seen the company direct over two billion people to resources from WHO and other health authorities through its COVID-19 Information Centre and pop-ups on Facebook and Instagram with over 350 million people clicking through to learn more.
The company has also partnered with over 60 third-party fact-checking organisations worldwide spanning across 50 languages. The programme continues to grow and add more partners and languages.
Once a piece of content is rated false by fact-checkers, Facebook said it reduces its distribution and shows warning labels with more content.
Head of Public Policy, Facebook Africa, Kojo Boakye, said, “To date, we’ve directed over two billion people to resources from the WHO and other health authorities through our COVID-19 Information Centre and pop-ups on Facebook and Instagram.
“As the pandemic evolves, we will continue focusing on the most effective ways to keep misinformation about COVID-19 off our apps and ensure people have credible information from health experts globally and locally.”