Instagram now lets users report posts that contain information they believe is false. Consequently, the reported posts will be sent to Instagram’s fact-checker. They will then go ahead to verify that the information is indeed false. Once verified, the post will be hidden from the social networking’s explore page and hashtag pages.
This means that you can report false information found on Instagram. The app regulator upon verification may decide to remove the app from the public arm of the app. Before now, Instagram previously announced that it would hide untrue posts. However, it did not make a tool for users to report misinformation. But all that has changed with the new feature.
According to Instagram’s Stephanie Otway,
“Starting today, people can let us know if they see posts on Instagram they believe may be false. We’re investing heavily in limiting the spread of misinformation across our apps, and we plan to share more updates in the coming months.”
Misinformation is rapidly seeping its way through the Facebook-owned app. Just like Facebook, the app is looking to combat fake news. However, unlike Facebook, Instagram will not alert users when they have interacted with a post that has been debunked. The post will still show up in the news feed of the user.
The process of fact-checking will go through several channels. Otway says the process will go through third-party checkers. Although, the company intends to train Instagram AI technology to eventually detect false information automatically.