Meta, the parent company of popular social media platforms WhatsApp and Instagram, on Tuesday, unveiled a safety initiative titled 'Know What's Real' in a bid to tackle the issue of misinformation online. According to a recent release, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of discerning truth from falsehood in the digital age.
The initiative, spanning eight weeks, is geared towards educating users on identifying and addressing misinformation prevalent on WhatsApp and Instagram. By promoting digital best practices and showcasing available safety tools, Meta hopes to empower its user base in navigating the complex landscape of online information.
Key features of the campaign include highlighting the built-in safety measures within WhatsApp, such as the ability to block and report suspicious content, as well as the introduction of forward labels to help users identify potentially misleading information. Furthermore, the initiative encourages individuals to verify dubious or inaccurate content through reputable fact-checking organisations accessible via WhatsApp Channels.
On Instagram, Meta has forged partnerships with a network of fact-checkers to verify the authenticity of information circulating on the platform. Notably, the company said that it employs warning labels for content deemed false, including deepfakes, to alert users to its lack of accuracy. Additionally, Meta restricts the reach of such content labeled as “False” by fact-checkers, thereby mitigating its potential impact on wider audiences.
As part of the campaign, Meta emphasises the importance of responsible content-sharing practices. Users are urged to refrain from forwarding or disseminating inauthentic content and instead encouraged to report such instances to the designated grievance officer or independent fact-checking partners for verification.
“Meta’s fact-checking program in India includes partnerships with 11 independent fact-checking organisations which is one of the largest networks of fact-checking partners globally. These partners have the capabilities to fact check content in 15 Indian languages and English – enabling people to identify, review, verify information and help prevent the spread of misinformation on Meta platforms,” the company said.
Last week, Meta also unveiled a dedicated fact-checking helpline on WhatsApp as part of the company’s effort to deal with the AI-generated content — particularly deepfakes — present online and help people connect with verified and credible information.
On Monday, Reuters also reported that Meta will be setting up a team to tackle disinformation and the abuse of generative artificial intelligence in the run-up to European Parliament elections in June amid concerns about election interference and misleading AI-generated content.
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