YouTube Rolling Out Fact Checking Feature To Combat Fake News
In a bid to eliminate fake news from its platform, YouTube has started rolling out a fact-checking feature in its smartphone application. The feature is currently available for limited users as part of a testing program. While its public rollout is also expected to follow soon. As of now, the feature is only confined to Indian smartphone users, with a worldwide release to follow suit.
YouTube Fact Checker
The fact checks on the YouTube app will be displayed in the search results of queries which are most susceptible to be fake and manipulative. Videos based on the query, explaining the real information will be displayed on the top, inside the information pane. The fact checks will appear as content from YouTube’s partner sites concerning the particular search query. Results are available in the Hindi and English language currently, with more languages to be added soon.
Notably, YouTube will use information from around six verified services in the country to exhibit the aforementioned panels in India. Many of the same services are also working with Facebook to check misinformation on its platform and in apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. YouTube has been trying hard to curb malpractices on its platform. A few weeks ago, it started demonetizing and disabling comments on videos which had objectionable content. This move by the company to curb fake news is seen as a positive step and may prove to help in dispersing true and unadulterated information to the audience via the globally used platform.
Also read: Google To Add More Smartphones To The Android Q Beta List In 2019
Interestingly, YouTube is not looking to ban the objectionable content it is targeting. Fake news has been a problem in the online space particularly in India for the past few years. Previously, WhatsApp also tried to curb the spread of false news on its platform via advertisements cautioning its users. And, as the General Election have also been announced, the spread of misleading information on platforms like YouTube, Whatsapp and Facebook may increase in the following weeks.
