Social Media in Action: How does social media combat election misinformation?

    social media in action
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    After Election Day, we’ve come across a period of mess. To prevent social media from being flooded with non-official claims of victory and misleading information about the election, all social media companies have taken action to fight election chaos. Facebook, Twitter, and Google have been working on ways to reduce election chaos and the spread of misinformation on social media. With different preparation, people can hopefully get verified information on social media.

    Check where to find the most accurate election results.

    Facebook

    • Stop accepting ads about politics a week before Election Day.
    • Activate the Voting Information Center. With Voting Information Center accessible on Facebook and Instagram feeds, Facebook provides users with the latest, most accurate, and authoritative information after the election.
    • Remove contents that include misinformation. For example, posts that claim people would get infected by COVID-19 if they go voting are removed before Election Day.
    • Label posts with information not yet confirmed. For example, if any candidates claim to win the election before final results are settled, Facebook will add labels to the posts and lead readers to the official, authoritative results provided.
    Facebook labels posts and reminds users that the counting is still on-going.
    Facebook labels posts and reminds users that the counting is still on-going.
    Facebook reminds users BEFORE they share information about the election.
    Facebook reminds users BEFORE they share information about the election.

    A more detailed introduction and demo from the Facebook official

    Instagram

    • Remove the “Recent” tab on all hashtag pages
      To “reduce the real-time spread” of misinformation, Instagram has temporarily hidden the “Recent” tab on the hashtag page. Now users in the U.S. can only view “Top” posts on all hashtag pages.
    The “Recent” tab on all hashtag pages on Instagram is removed now.
    The “Recent” tab on all hashtag pages on Instagram is removed now.

    Twitter

    • Label tweets that contain misleading information. Tweets, where candidates or parties claim victory BEFORE the election result is officially confirmed, are labeled.
    Tweets with misleading contents are labeled by Twitter. Users need to click on “View” to proceed with reading.
    Tweets with misleading contents are labeled by Twitter. Users need to click on “View” to proceed with reading.
    Before users quote a tweet labeled, they will be led to Twitter’s civic integrity policy page.
    Before users quote a tweet labeled, they will be led to Twitter’s civic integrity policy page.
    • Activate the official Twitter information stream. By providing a list of trusted and authoritative sources of election results, Twitter has set up clear criteria for verifying the trustworthiness of election results shared via tweets.
    • Change the retweet mechanism. To prevent bot accounts from spreading misleading information, now users have to leave their comments when retweeting. This policy will apply at least until the end of the election week.
    Labeled tweets can’t be shared or left comments with. Users can only quote the tweet.
    Labeled tweets can’t be shared or left comments with. Users can only “quote” the tweet.
    Users are NOT allowed to quote a tweet without leaving their own comments.
    Users are NOT allowed to quote a tweet without leaving their own comments.

    Google

    • Provide correct U.S. election results. Google shows authoritative and real-time election results from The Associated Press (AP) on Google searching page.
    • Pause ads about the election after Election Day.
    Real-time election results from The Associated Press (AP) on Google searching page.
    Real-time election results from The Associated Press (AP) on Google searching page.

    Youtube

    • Remove violative contents on Youtube.
    • Show information panels. Once users search for election results, there will be a panel on top of searching results that links to Google U.S. election results.
    An information panel is shown on top of the search results page and under videos about the election. Source: YouTube Offical Blog
    An information panel is shown on top of the search results page and under videos about the election. Source: YouTube Offical Blog

    Do your part to help prevent the spread of misinformation.

    When you see non-official election results or any misleading information, you can verify the content’s trustworthiness using Trend Micro Check – send the articles or copy/paste links of problematic contents to get real-time results.

    Share and send posts directly to Trend Micro Check on Messenger.
    Share and send posts directly to Trend Micro Check on Messenger.
    Trend Micro Check helps provide fact check results immediately.
    Trend Micro Check helps provide fact check results immediately.

    To help create a safer social media environment, always CHECK before you share.

    If you think Trend Micro Check is helpful, please share to protect your family and friends!

    Click on the button below to try Trend Micro Check for free now:

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