Combating Misinformation

#1

Post by lawrenceyan » Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 4:49 PM UTC

Re: Combating Misinformation

#2

Post by jtbayly » Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 5:26 PM UTC

So thankful that FB will protect us from harmful information like the claim that buying and wearing a mask could help save lives.

Oh wait. Now that is considered information and the opposite is considered misinformation.

This is so great. /s

Re: Combating Misinformation

#3

Post by mnd999 » Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 5:28 PM UTC

This doesn’t actually link to an article for me, more a list of articles. What are we supposed to be reading?

If they meant the first article, it should be flagged [2020]

Re: Combating Misinformation

#4

Post by theNJR » Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 5:28 PM UTC

>For claims that don’t directly result in physical harm, like conspiracy theories about the origin of the virus, we continue to work with our network of over 55 fact-checking partners covering over 45 languages to debunk these claims... Once a post is rated false by a fact-checker, we reduce its distribution so fewer people see it, and we show strong warning labels and notifications to people who still come across it, try to share it or already have.

Does this pass the mask test? As we all remember, the WHO said to not wear masks early during the outbreak. Twitter users, in particular, was way ahead on urging people TO wear a mask. Would Facebook now block that or reduce its distribution and potentially risk lives?

Re: Combating Misinformation

#5

Post by cowabungabruce » Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 5:29 PM UTC

They can remove the entire newsfeed and remove the ability for users to share links?

Oh wait, nevermind, this is "Combating Misinformation WHILE STAYING a multibillion rev business who makes money from users' attention"

Re: Combating Misinformation

#6

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 5:31 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Combating Misinformation

#7

Post by cwkoss » Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 5:32 PM UTC

Now do Facebook's public facing comments about section 230.

(context https://twitter.com/doctorow/status/1374785753629163521)

Re: Combating Misinformation

#8

Post by heavyset_go » Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 5:33 PM UTC

This is the same company that proliferated a genocide[1], profited from it, and did nothing to stop it.

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/15/technology/myanmar-facebo...

Re: Combating Misinformation

#9

Post by dna_polymerase » Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 5:35 PM UTC

Maybe this should link to [0] instead. It talks about a change in their newsfeed algorithm resulting in a 5% decrease in usage time. Think about that. Their algorithms are so good, they influence how billions of people spend a lot of time. And they know how to increase that time as they wish. They have no incentive to decrease usage further and even if they commit to something like that now, as soon as their revenues decline Wall Street will force them to ramp up usage.

[0]: https://about.fb.com/news/2021/03/how-were-tackling-misinfor...

Re: Combating Misinformation

#10

Post by cwkoss » Thu, Mar 25, 2021, 5:38 PM UTC

theNJR wrote: post #4

>For claims that don’t directly result in physical harm, like conspiracy theories about the origin of the virus, we continue to work with our network of over 55 fact-checking partners covering over 45 languages to debunk these claims... Once a post is rated false by a fact-checker, we reduce its distribution so fewer people see it, and we show strong warning labels and notifications to people who still come across it…

I think it is naive to believe there will be any sort of consistently applied rule. It will be based on the whims of whoever manages this initiative.

They are only using fact checkers because it gives them someone to point to and say "Look we didn't make this call, they did". This is like a money laundering scheme but with brand reputation risk instead of money.

Facebook will retain absolute control and the people running this initiative will do whatever the brass tells them to, this program is just for deflecting complaints.