The Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) launched a chatbot on WhatsApp on 4th May 2020 to connect its millions of users with the translated work of more than 80 fact-checking organizations worldwide. Citizens can easily check whether content about COVID-19 has already been rated as false by professional fact-checkers by using the IFCN’s chatbot on WhatsApp.
It comes as an effort to battle misinformation being spread about the coronavirus and it’ll tell users whether the information is true.
The Poynter database of coronavirus hoaxes includes any Covid-19 virus-related rumors like fake vaccines and miracle cures, coronavirus being created as a biological weapon, racist misinformation about the spread of COVID-19, and false claims that 5G caused the coronavirus. The database is getting updated every day.
The chatbot also lets WhatsApp users send new information being spread to local fact-checkers. IFCN’s chatbot is free to use. Users can save +1 (727) 2912606 as a contact number and text the word “hi” to launch the chatbot. They can also click poy.nu/ifcnbot to get started.
“Hundreds of millions of users rely on WhatsApp to stay in touch with their friends and families every day,” said IFCN director Baybars Orsek. “Since bad actors use every single platform to disseminate falsehoods, to mislead others during such troubling times, fact-checkers’ work is more important than ever.”
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