Page 9 - Fake News

WhatsApp launches TV campaign in India to crack down on fake news

WhatsApp said it has conducted extensive research with users in India and then developed three ad films that are based on a real user's experience

No quick fixes

Only a multi-pronged approach involving all stakeholders will help India combat fake news

Fake news took lives in India, swayed Brazil polls: What FB could have done

Even with the changes the company made worldwide this past summer, schemes like Bolsonaro's still can be extremely effective on WhatsApp

UP Police deploy 200,000 'digital volunteers' to counter fake news

This decision was taken in the backdrop of cases coming to light across India, where fake news was circulated on social media platforms to incite people to violence

New web-based tool to help monitor fake news on Facebook, Twitter

Developed by researchers at the University of Michigan in the US, the tool uses a Platform Health Metric called the Iffy Quotient

FB, Twitter join hands with EC to keep check on fake news during polls

The companies have also assured the poll watchdog that political advertisements will be flagged, including the amount spent, so that expenditure can also be accounted for during campaign period

Closely working with Reliance Jio to curb fake news menace: Whatsapp

WhatsApp has already taken some steps to quell the rise of fake news

How the latest technology and some healthy activism can curb fake news

The main take away from our research is that when it comes to preventing the spread of fake news, privacy is key

Breeding cynicism: Real news may be more corrosive than fake news

Too much information can lead to a cynical population that expects little from its leaders

Fake news menace: China centralising efforts to stop online rumours

In September 2013, an official "rumor rule" was issued, under which high-profile internet users could face up to seven years in prison for posting unverified information

Government mulls action against India heads of social media on fake news

The top officials of different ministries and departments deliberated the issue in the wake of reports of many incidents of lynching, communal tension and abuse following circulation of fake news

Fake news: Experts say asking WhatsApp to do govt's job a misplaced notion

Steps taken to prevent misuse of the platform have to be balanced with data privacy and security concerns, say experts

Govt snubs WhatsApp's no, wants it to trace origin of fake news messages

Amid a spate of mob lynchings fuelled by misinformation, tracing the origin of fake messages has become a lingering tussle between the government and WhatsApp

No intent to impose blanket ban on messaging apps to curb misuse: Official

Industry body COAI has cautioned against blocking of mobile apps, saying it would impinge on freedom of speech and expression of users

Fake news is nothing new

The ultimate was surely Yudhishthira's immortal "Aswathama hatha...", followed by a whispered "iti narova kunjarova..."

Fake news row: Govt starts advocacy drive on WhatsApp safety for students

Government is working on various initiatives to ensure that social media platforms become more accountable, efforts are also on to increase awareness about fake news among citizens

More than 1,600 URLs blocked in India over last 18 months to curb fake news

Facebook blocked the most (956 or 58%) of URLs, under section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, followed by Twitter (25%) and YouTube (9%)

Fake news crackdown: Govt seeks options to block Facebook and WhatsApp

Under the present framework, instructions for blocking of websites or URLs are issued by the DoT to internet service licensees, based on the directions of Meity and according to directions from courts

Govt will not tolerate data abuse by firms to influence elections: Prasad

Prasad said the government has ordered a CBI investigation into alleged misuse of data of Indian Facebook users by British political consultancy firm Cambridge Analytica.

Experts working on app to check authenticity of messages on WhatsApp

Rumours on WhatsApp have sparked off a spate of incidents involving mob fury, including one where five men were lynched on the suspicion of being child-lifters in Maharashtra's Rainpada village