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WHO also introduced one
Poynter Institutes’ International Fact Verification Network (IFCN) launched its WhatsApp chatbot on Monday to help two billion users of the Facebook-owned instant messaging platform verify the veracity of information related to COVID-19. The IFCN bot connects people to independent fact checkers in more than 70 countries and also to the largest database of discredited falsehoods related to the new coronavirus.
By using the IFCN bot on WhatsApp, citizens around the world will be able to easily verify if content about COVID-19 has already been branded as false by professional data verifiers.
Since January, more than 80 fact-checking organizations from 74 countries have identified more than 4,000 hoaxes related to the new coronavirus. All of this information now forms the CoronaVirusFacts database and is updated daily by IFCN so that chatbot users can easily navigate and access its content.
The IFCN bot also provides users with a global directory of fact-checking organizations. The system is able to identify the user’s country through the person’s mobile country code and then provide them with their closest fact-checking organizations. The person can then submit information for review directly to their local fact checker or visit their website for more information on what has been circulating in the region.
“Billions of users trust WhatsApp to keep in touch with their friends and family every month. Since bad actors use each platform to spread falsehoods and deceive others in such difficult times, the work of fact-checkers is more important than ever. ” Baybars Orsek, Director of IFCN, said in a statement.
“The IFCN chatbot will allow users to search for fact checks and connect with fact checkers in their countries from their smartphones. The chatbot will also serve as a way to direct people to local fact checker websites. “Orsek said.
The IFCN bot is free to use. Users must save +1 (727) 2912606 as a contact number and send a text message with the word “hello” to start the bot. Initially, the bot will be available only in English, but other languages will follow soon, including Hindi, Spanish and Portuguese, IFCN said. WhatsApp recently launched several initiatives in support of the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic, one of which is a $ 1 million donation to IFCN.
“WhatsApp recently provided a grant to the Poynter IFCN to support the valuable work of its verified signatories around the world in combating misinformation of COVID-19,” said Ben Supple, Manager of Public Policy and Leader of Global Elections on WhatsApp.
“We are excited to be able to support IFCN’s essential fact-checking work with the launch of this important service for WhatsApp users,” said Supple.
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