Fact-checking program extended on Instagram

Facebook is expanding its fact-checking program on Instagram globally. This is to help combat the rising amount of misinformation.

The company started working in May with third-party fact-checkers in the US. If they consider the content as false, Instagram labels it as such. Also, it removes it from Explore and hashtag pages, in order to reduce its exposure.

Fact-checking organizations around the world will be able to participate in the program. But the social network also uses other tools.

“We use image matching technology to find further instances of this content and apply the label, helping reduce the spread of misinformation. In addition, if something is rated false or partly false on Facebook, starting today we’ll automatically label identical content if it is posted on Instagram (and vice versa),” the company mentioned.

“The label will link out to the rating from the fact-checker and provide links to articles from credible sources that debunk the claim(s) made in the post. We make content from accounts that repeatedly receive these labels harder to find,” they mentioned. The network removes this content from Explore and hashtag pages.

Fact-checking program solutions

In order to do this, Instagram explained it combines community feedback with in-house technology. Also, it considers any users who have chosen to avail themselves of a new “false information” option. Thus it will determine which content to send to fact-checkers for review.

The company says that customers use Instagram more often in “coordinated inauthentic behaviour”. Still, less fake news and state-backed attempts to spread misinformation appear on Instagram. They are more common on Facebook.

The social networking service removed accounts in most of the online crackdowns announced by Facebook. Also, the company shall endeavour to get rid of the suspected Russian and Iranian state actors.

Also, Instagram announced earlier this week an anti-bullying initiative which uses AI to warn users if their captions “may be considered offensive.” Thus, they also try to protect teenagers from inappropriate behaviour.