Why the novel coronavirus became a social media nightmareFalse information about the novel coronavirus poses a major, life-endangering problem for social media userThe biggest reputational risk Facebook and other social media companies had expected in 2020 was fake news surrounding the US presidential election. SEE ALSO :Here are our top 10 most read stories in 2019Part of the reason is that social media algorithms are geared to appeal to someone's habits and interests: the emphasis is on likability, not accuracy. SEE ALSO :Only person died on Oslo, Norway roads in 2019That approach -- known as "accuracy nudge intervention" -- from social media companies could limit the spread of misinformation, the report concluded. What is undoubted is that misinformation about the novel coronavirus has been deadly. "Our goal has been to make certain everyone on our service has access to credible, authoritative health information," he said.

Source: Standard Digital March 29, 2020 05:59 UTC