Twitter introduces labels for false information about Covid-19

Twitter introduces new indications and warning messages that the social media company will use on the platform if there is, for example, misleading information about covid-19 in tweets.

Twitter says that the new designations will provide additional context information to tweets containing contested or misleading information about Covid-19. Similar to the manipulated media label introduced earlier this year, there will be a label that will provide interested users with a link to a page on Twitter or an external page from a trusted source. There you can find more information about the claims from the Twitter message in question.

Depending on the degree of damage and the type of misleading information, an attached warning message may also be selected. It states that some or all of the information contained in a deliberate message contradicts the advice of public health experts on Covid-19. The warning message replaces the original message, so to speak, so users will only see the warning first.

Twitter says it intervenes in three different cases: misleading information, disputed claims and unverified claims. If the degree of deception is considered ‘severe’, it will be removed. If that is the case with a disputed claim, the warning message will be deployed. In milder cases, only the label with the link is applied. In principle, Twitter does not take any action with unverified claims, although the company does not rule out coming up with new labels to also provide context in these cases.

Earlier this year, Twitter expanded its policies to ban information that contradicts that of official health organizations and that increases the risk of spreading Covid-19. For example, this has already led to the removal of two Twitter messages from Brazilian President Bolsonaro. Those tweets showed videos in which the president questions the quarantine measures and calls on residents of Brasilia to continue working.