Social network Twitter Inc. (TWTR) will be introducing labels and warning messages on tweets containing misleading or disputed information concerning coronavirus pandemic. The company made the announcement further adding this new approach will be extended to other topics in due time.
In scenarios where the risk of harm is relatively high, the new label on Twitter will provide links to additional information. In cases where the risk of harm is not high the tweet will be removed from the platform.
These labels will resemble the ones launched to flag synthetic and manipulated media, additionally, they will also apply to tweets sent before introduction of the labels and warnings irrespective of who had sent the tweet.
Twitter says depending on the intensity of harm and type of misleading information in the tweet, warnings may also be added indicating twitter does not agree with guidance from public health experts before a user views it.
According to Twitter’s public policy director, Nick Pickles, the labels will connect the user to a Twitter-curated page or a reliable trusted source containing extra information.
“One of the differences in our approach here is that we’re not waiting for a third party to have made a cast-iron decision one way or another. We’re reflecting the debate, rather than stating the outcome of a deliberation,” said Pickles.
The social network says henceforth it will be taking action on any tweet containing unverified information at the time of sharing. It will also be placing labels or warnings on disputed claims and those confirmed as false.
On a call with reporters, Twitter’s head of site integrity Yoel Roth, said Twitter won’t relent to remove harmful tweets giving an example of tweets they will be labeling including those disputing the origin or nature of the coronavirus.
“We will continue to introduce new labels to provide context around different types of unverified claims and rumors as needed,” said Twitter.
