Twitter has outlined a new crisis misinformation policy that will guide its efforts to push for credible and authoritative that will ensure viral misinformation isn’t amplified.
In times of crisis, Twitter vows to make reliable information more available during times of crisis while slowing down the spread of fake news.
“Today, we’re introducing our crisis misinformation policy – a global policy that will guide our efforts to elevate credible, authoritative information, and will help to ensure viral misinformation isn’t amplified or recommended by us during crises. In times of crisis, misleading information can undermine public trust and cause further harm to already vulnerable communities. Alongside our existing work to make reliable information more accessible during crisis events, this new approach will help to slow the spread by us of the most visible, misleading content, particularly that which could lead to severe harm.” as captured on Twitter blog.
Twitter is committed to expanding its approach around the emergent global crises, informed by the United Nations Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)’s emergency response framework, and other global humanitarian frameworks.
“Conversation move especially during periods of crisis, and content from accounts with wide reach are most likely to rack up views and engagement. To reduce potential harm, as soon as we have evidence that a claim may be misleading, we won’t amplify or recommend content that is covered by this policy across Twitter – including in the Home timeline, Search, and Explore.”
Twitter will also prioritize adding warning notices to highly visible Tweets and Tweets from high profile accounts, such as state-affiliated media accounts, and verified official government accounts.
Starting today, Twitter will add a warning notice for false coverage or event reporting, or information that mischaracterizes conditions on the ground as a conflict evolves.
Any false allegations regarding the use of force, incursions on territorial sovereignty, or around the use of weapons, demonstrably false or misleading allegations of war crimes or mass atrocities against specific populations and finally, false information regarding international community response, sanctions, defensive actions, or humanitarian operations will also be accompanied by warming.
People on Twitter will be required to click through the warning notice to view the Tweet, and the content won’t be amplified or recommended across the service. In addition, Likes, Retweets, and Shares will be disabled, and the notice will link to more information about our approach to crisis misinformation.
