Instagram to Allow Users to Flag Fake Posts

Instagram has announced on Thursday, that it will add an option for users to report posts that they consider false. The Facebook-owned photo-sharing site tries to stop spreading wrong information and other abuses on its platform.

Posting false information is not prohibited on any of Facebook's social networking services. But now the company is taking measures to limit the scope of misinformation and warn users about doubtful claims.

Facebook began using image detection on Instagram in May 2019 to find discredited content in its flagship app. It also expanded its third-party fact verification program to the app.

Results rated as fake are removed from places where users search for new content, such as the Explore tab on Instagram and hashtag search results.

Facebook has 54 fact-checking partners that work in 42 languages, but the Instagram program is only being implemented in the United States.

"This is an initial step as we work towards a more comprehensive approach to tackling misinformation," said Stephanie Otway, a Facebook company spokeswoman.

But an independent report commissioned by the United States Senate Select Intelligence Committee found that it was "perhaps the most effective platform" for Russian actors trying to spread false information since the elections.

The Russian operatives seemed to transfer much of their activity to Instagram, where the commitment surpassed Facebook, New Knowledge researchers wrote, who conducted the analysis.

"Our assessment is that Instagram is likely to be a key battleground on an ongoing basis," they said.

It has also been pressured to block health hoaxes, including posts that try to deter people from getting vaccinated.