Yes, Threads runs a fact-checking program, but the system is not fully deployed

[ad_1]

TopicsMeta’s Twitter-type service and competitor to X, could be distance yourself from politics, but that doesn’t mean he won’t try to combat misinformation spreading on social media, especially as national elections approach. Following user reports Among the fact-checks spotted on the network, the company confirmed that it has engaged with fact-checking organizations to combat false information circulating on Threads, but has not yet fully rolled out direct verification facts from Threads content.

Meta had announced in December that at the beginning of 2024, fact-checking partners would be able to review and rate fake content directly on Threads. Meanwhile, Meta was only able to match existing fact checks to “nearly identical content on Threads,” he said. Based on fact-checking user reports now appearing on Threads, this is a case of assorted ratings, not the more expected direct fact-checking of the Threads content people see.

The company confirmed this was the case, telling TechCrunch that it had not yet finalized the ability for fact checkers to evaluate content directly on Threads, but would do so soon.

Posted by @culturecrave

Show on discussions

Discussion users noticed that warning labels appeared on messages – in one case, both as an interstitial on a fake AI-generated video and as a pop-up appearing at the bottom of the screen.

The warning message reads “False Information,” followed by an explanation that “the same false information was examined in another thread by fact-checkers.” There may be small differences. He also noted that “independent fact-checkers claim that this information has no factual basis” and documents in which fact-checking sources reached this conclusion.

Below, users can read the name of the fact-checking organizations and the conclusion of the sources – for example “False” – as well as additional information about the content and why it is false.

Image credits: Screenshot of chats

An example of this fact checking can be seen here on discussions. This is a video that was circulating in Telegram chats and which claims to come from a France 24 broadcast. However, the video was never broadcast or even made – it was generated by AI, according to fact-checking organizations. both State.

In our testing, fact-checking initially hid the Threads post along with the video, but offered a “View Post” button to click through and view. You can optionally tap “See Why” if you want to know why it was hidden for false information. The feature seems a bit underdeveloped, however, as the links to fact-checking websites only worked on mobile, not desktop, and the informational disclaimer below the video, when viewed, was in small text form which could easily be missed.

Image credits: Screenshot of chats

Although full fact-checking capabilities have not yet been rolled out to Threads, when they are, the feature will differentiate Threads from its rival X, where fact-checks are now largely handled via crowdsourcing. With ratings from the X community (originally called Birdwatch when the company was known as Twitter), independent volunteers check posts and add additional context or corrections. The system’s algorithm then attempts to find consensus between people who do not typically share the same views. If both parties agree that fact-checking is warranted, the community note is posted online. During this time, Team X cannot edit or modify notes, the the company’s website explains. Instead, X only acts on posts that violate its rules, terms, or privacy policy.

Elon Musk has defended the use of community notes since acquire the company in 2022, having believed that the old Twitter team was guilty of left-wing bias and censorship. However, a ProPublica report found that Community Notes has not yet grown enough to respond to the disinformation circulating on X about the war between Israel and Hamas. Additionally, the debunked claims were often spread by verified accounts with blue checks, giving them greater visibility, he adds.

Meta is clearly taking a more cautious approach to news and the potential for misinformation.

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, said last year that Threads will not amplify news on its platform, upsetting journalists and news consumers who were looking for an alternative to Twitter. The company also delivered on its promises last week, announcing that it no longer proactively highlights political content in its recommendations on Threads and Instagram. News and politics can still appear in the new trends functionality of the application“today’s topics”, however.



[ad_2]

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *