Instagram to offer new tool to allow users to report misinformation

Source: Xinhua | 2019-08-19

Facebook-owned Instagram is adding a new tool to allow users to flag posts of false information and report them for further scrutinizing, the company said Thursday.
The new feature, which is the first of its kind introduced by Instagram to combat misinformation on the platform, is part of the latest efforts by Facebook to block false or deceptive information from being spread as fake news.
"Starting today, people can let us know if they see posts on Instagram they believe may be false," Facebook spokesperson Stephanie Otway told U.S. media.
Otway said Instagram is investing heavily in limiting the spread of misinformation.
"We plan to share more updates in the coming months," she added.
Facebook has hired independent fact-checkers to police its platform to search for false content and remove misleading posts before they are viewed by other users.
The world's largest social media network has employed advanced technology including machine learning to detect illicit posts to beef up its campaign to fight misinformation in its community.