Twitter to potentially add warning labels to public figures’ posts containing misinformation

Some Twitter users locked out of their account after a viral prank. Image: AFP/Leon Neal

On Thursday, NBC News reported that Twitter is testing a new feature that would add vibrantly colored labels nearly the same size as the original tweet warning users if a publication made by a politician or public figure contains misinformation.

Earlier this week, NBC was sent a leaked demo of a potentially upcoming Twitter feature that would put colorful warning labels on the tweets of politicians and public figures if it post contains “harmfully misleading” or inaccurate information.

Twitter confirmed to NBC that this demo is “one possible iteration of a new policy to target misinformation”. The feature works by signaling to users that information in a tweet is inaccurate or misleading with a bright orange label, beneath which people can find corrected information provided by fact-checkers, verified journalists or users involved in a possibly upcoming “community reports” feature; which would allow community members to help determine just how harmful misleading content could be.

Such an implementation will be imperative as the United States swings into the 2020 election season, though it will also be useful in combating medical misinformation, especially in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. JB

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