‚These warnings will inform people that the information in the Tweet conflicts with public health experts’ guidance before they view it,‘ the company says.
(Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Twitter’s effort to tackle coronavirus misinformation is prompting the company to place labels and warning messages on tweets that contain disputed claims about the pandemic.
The change is designed to give users “additional context” to Twitter conversations swirling around the topic involving contested or misleading claims, Public Policy Director Nick Pickles said on Monday.
In March, Twitter began removing tweets that contain coronavirus misinformation. However, the policy only applies to posts that risk causing serious harm, like advising people to drink bleach to cure themselves.
SEE ALSO: You Can’t Hide From Facebook’s Redesigned Website AnymoreAn example of a warning message (Credit: Twitter.)
Now the company is trying to address the heated COVID-19 debates swirling on the platform, which often point to conspiracy theories. The same posts can also cast doubt on the need to practice social distancing or wear a mask. In response, Twitter plans on placing a warning message over tweets that contain disputed coronavirus information the company deems “severe.”
“These warnings will inform people that the information in the Tweet conflicts with public health experts’ guidance before they view it,” the company said in a blog post.
