Facebook users to get warning before sharing COVID-19 links to combat misinformation

Starting today, you will get a warning before sharing COVID-19 related links on Facebook. The social media platform has started rolling out a new notification screen globally that will give users more context about the COVID-19 related articles they share on the social network. As per the information provided, the notification will inform users when the article was first shared and its source. 

The move comes as part of Facebook's larger efforts to combat rampant misinformation around novel coronavirus. This notification will take people to Facebook's COVID-19 Information Center, where they can access credible information about the virus from global health authorities. 

In a blog post, Facebook said that the content posted by government health authorities and recognised global health organisations like the World Health Organization would be exempt from this notification feature. 

“Facebook is supporting the global public health community’s work to keep people safe and informed during the coronavirus public health crisis. We’re also working to address the long-term impacts by supporting industries in need and making it easier for people to find and offer help in their communities,” the company said in a blog post. 

Facebook claims that the feature will give context that they needed to make informed decisions about what to share on the social networking platform about COVID-19. Facebook announced the feature last month and now, it has been made available to everyone. 

The social media platform has been working aggressively in the last few weeks to battle misinformation about COVID-19. According to data released earlier this week, the platform claimed that it removed seven million posts during the second quarter for sharing false information about novel coronavirus, including content that promoted fake preventative measures and exaggerated cures.