In a move that has been applauded by many, Twitter has started labeling tweets with manipulated media in India. This move was initially implemented in the US during the US Elections. Many of Donald Trump’s tweets and videos were labeled as manipulated media by Twitter.
Twitter had released in a blog post in June that it would start calling flagging tweets/videos/images that spread misinformation. It also revealed the steps it would follow to decide whether a tweet is misleading. First, it considers whether the tweet has been fundamentally manipulated in time, essence, and/or other aspects. Second, it considers the context of the tweet, and finally, it considers whether the tweet is fabricated or simulated. It also checks whether the tweet is harmful or inflicting violence.
Not only does Twitter label the manipulated media, but it also makes sure that its reach is restricted. Many critics are unsure of the effectiveness of this move, but it is a good start to a long battle against misinformation. While Facebook has been struggling to combat fake news and the spread of misinformation, Twitter is being praised for this small step.
This move is a welcome change in the world since social media has been largely used to manipulate people and spread misinformation. Its consequences can be deadly because the reach of social media has the power to manipulate citizens and influence their decisions.