Coronavirus: New app to filter out 'fake news' as online lies outpace NHS information
Peddlers of “fake news” have taken advantage of panic around the coronavirus to spread dangerous lies.
Some fake news sites are getting more engagement over a 24-hour period than some NHS websites have received in a month, according to news filtering service Newsguard.
The government has endorsed the online tool which helps filter out fake news in an effort to tackle coronavirus-related misinformation.
The tool works in a browser to identify sites that may be publishing dangerous lies, with “trust ratings” for 4,000 news services.
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Newsguard has identified 140 sites publishing fake news on the COVID-19 pandemic.
NewsGuard said libraries across the UK were using its services to help members navigate information sources before the outbreak.
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But now libraries have closed in response to lockdown measures announced by Downing Street, the company has removed all of its paywalls to make services free nationwide.
It works on browsers and mobile devices by showing either red or green rating icons next to news links on search engines and social media feeds, including Google, Bing, Facebook, Reddit and Twitter.
Digital secretary Oliver Dowden said: “We need people to follow the advice of our medical experts so we can protect the NHS and save lives.
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“But false or misleading information about coronavirus shared online could undermine our efforts.
“This very welcome move by Newsguard will give people a free and effective tool helping them access trustworthy news sources during these challenging times.”
Mr Dowden has previously called on social media users to do their bit in tackling coronavirus-related “fake news”, recommending people adopt advice issued by the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH).
