Facebook is taking yet another decisive step to counter the distribution of false rumours on its platform which may lead to widespread voter suppression.
With only weeks till mid-terms elections, Facebook is taking additional measures to secure its platform against misrepresentations on how or when people vote. A series of policies designed to address such types of abuse that users are seeing online are now in effect.
Examples of misrepresentations are posts which mislead users about dates, locations, times and qualifications for casting a ballot. Facebook offers the following example of content that will not be allowed on its platform any more:
In addition, Facebook is also introducing a new reporting system that will allow users to report a post when it’s misleading and providing false information regarding the voting process.
Facebook is also leaning on third-party checking services to verify individual claims, which refer to specific locations – e.g. “Elementary School Flooded, Polling Location Closed”.
Facebook is working hard to ensure that spreading of false rumours which prohibit people from voting will not be tolerated anymore. In an era were no election is fully secure, this small step may be beneficial for the process.
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