Facebook’s parent company, Meta, announced a new tool Wednesday that automatically deletes posts containing misinformation before they are published.
“Incoming posts that contain content rated by third-party fact-checkers as false are declined before they are seen in the group, which helps reduce the visibility of misinformation,” Facebook Vice President of Communities Maria Angelidou-Smith wrote.
SOCIAL MEDIA FIRMS CAUGHT UP IN RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT
The suspension ability is an upgrade from Facebook’s mute function, which just permanently prevented users from commenting on a page. Now, pages can temporarily suspend users for a set period of time.
“Communities can only thrive as places to connect when they are safe,” Smith wrote. “These new tools will help admins prevent the spread of misinformation and manage interactions in their group.”
Other updates include the ability to suspend page members and automatically decline member requests from users via the Admin Assist page.
The announcement came after Meta reported that Russian authorities ordered the platform to stop independently fact-checking posts from its state-sponsored organizations.
In addition, Facebook took down two anti-Ukrainian disinformation operations last week that were tied to a Russian propaganda outlet created to make Ukraine look like a failed state.
Meanwhile, more than 3 million people have joined Ukrainian support groups created to express solidarity since Feb. 24, according to the platform. An additional 10 million used the Ukrainian flag profile frame. Users on both Facebook and Instagram have reportedly raised over $30 million in aid for Ukraine.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
On Tuesday, Meta gave an update to its efforts in Ukraine since the invasion began. It announced access to Ukraine’s State Emergency Services information and World Health Organization helplines via WhatsApp, free add space for the World Health Organization and the International Medical Corps, and an emotional health page written in Ukrainian and Russian.
