Facebook Will Penalize Accounts That Spread Misinformation By Pushing Posts Down
Image via Facebook
Facebook is finally taking action against misinformation super-spreaders, which have dealt a hefty blow to the site’s credibility in recent years.
The tech firm now wants to give its users more information before they like or follow a page. Upon visiting a page, you may start seeing a popup that reads, “This Page has repeatedly shared false information.”
Pages that repeatedly contravene Facebook’s rules or have been fact-checked to be spreading false information multiple times will have this popup appear.
Users can then select ‘Learn More’ to find out more about the social media site’s fact-checking program. The firm hopes this new feature will help users make a more informed decision before following a page.
As for individual user accounts, Facebook is also stepping up the punishments for viral misinformation.
If your account has been repeatedly flagged for sharing misinformation or false content, its post reach will be reduced, and all your account posts could be moved further down the News Feed, so others are less likely to see them.
Going a step further, when a user shares an article or post that later gets fact-checked for misinformation, the user will be notified about it. You’ll receive a notification with the fact-checker’s article debunking the post, as well as a prompt to share the new, fact-checked article with your followers.
After a long period of complaints about Big Tech’s compliance in the spreading of misinformation on social media, Facebook’s new features are welcomed step in the right direction.
Image via Facebook
Image via Facebook
[via Facebook, images via Facebook]
Also check out these recent news
