In an effort to combat the misinformation spread through photos and videos, Instagram is adding a "False Information" warning to its platform.
Instagram is stepping up its efforts to combat misinformation and now automatically include tagging some fake articles. Using a combination of user reporting and automation, suspicious content will be sent to independent auditors for verification and labeled "False" if it turns out to be fake.
According to Instagram, the content will be labeled as potentially counterfeit with "a combination of feedback from the user community and our technology". Then, if the independent third parties recognize that the content is genuinely fake, three things will happen:
- The photo or video will be removed from the Explore and Hashtag pages to "reduce its distribution"
- The photo will clearly be labeled "False Information" on a cover that does not allow you to see the photo or video directly.
- Anyone trying to post the same photo will receive a warning that they are about to share fakes information.
The example given by Instagram in its announcement was a widespread photo of a shark on a flooded Houston highway during duration of Hurricane Harvey.
In addition to the three consequences shown above, accounts that are repeatedly flagged for sharing false information will be permanently removed from the Explore pages and hashtag tags.
This automatic flagging could help combat some disinformation efforts. Maybe this way you will stop seeing articles with old hoaxes or fake scientific topics. This won't necessarily stop professional charlatans and pranksters, and it certainly won't help you avoid the bogus political ads that have flooded the Internet. But it is a step in the right direction.
To learn more about this system highlight, read the full Instagram announcement here.
