Facebook prepares for the worst and modifies its algorithm for news in the feed to limit the spread of fake news related to the 2020 US elections
In view of the upcoming US elections, which will be held on November 3, Facebook is preparing for all scenarios and modifies its algorithm to ward off the possibility of viral spread of fake news. The emergency kit includes some concrete measures to prevent content shared on the social network from causing misinformation among its millions of users.
To highlight the defensive move of the social network is The Wall Street Journal, citing sources that would confirm the willingness to implement the tools after having already tested them in the past in countries involved in potentially risky situations, including Sri Lanka and Myanmar. From Facebook’s top management, however, came at least in part a denial, in particular with respect to the fact that these tools would not have already been implemented in the code but would only be prepared in order to be used quickly and effectively in case the need arises suddenly.
Facebook and the algorithm for elections: what it consists of
Once inserted into the code of Facebook the algorithm of which so much is being talked about, the same could act in a decisive manner on fake news that would appear in the feeds of users. Basically, the algorithm would act by slowing down the spread of false information, also altering the type of content that appear on the homepage in order to avoid an uncontrolled spread of these news.
This would therefore limit the exposure of Facebook users to posts containing bad information, content that glorify violence or sensationalistic. Under the friendly fire, however, could end up also potentially not harmful posts but that would push only to the normal political discussion. A risk, however, that the Menlo Park giant does not seem to be willing to run.
Facebook and the algorithm for elections: it’s not the first time for the US
It’s not the same tool, but already in 2018, on the occasion of the midterm elections – the midterm elections – the social network had pulled out of the hat a code that could have limited the recommendations of groups on users’ profiles.
The tool had, however, remained in the drawer, a choice due mainly to the lack of real need for use. This year, instead, the social network could be finally ready to put in action its own anti-fake news campaign, also in the light of its responsibilities, knowing perfectly well the power of bad information on a group of users as big as the one that every day surfs on Facebook.
In the past weeks and months Facebook has already deleted thousands of fake profiles, often used to amplify fake news, and to close the pages linked to QAnon extremists.