Facebook: exposes your friends who are spreading fake news

April 4, 2018, 07:39

The Facebook announced today the release of an updated version of its application that will help combat fake news.
Although the initial purpose of the update is obviously the new improved features, the new app also features a whole new functionality: It shows which of your friends are spreading fake news.

The new update, first tested last year, provides users with an additional feature for new news posts.
Tapping the “i” icon next to a story headline will bring up other related articles and a map showing how the story made it to your news feed, and by whom. This means that if you come across a story you don’t quite believe, you’ll be able to see which of your friends have already shared it.
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According to Facebook developers, the original idea came from the “Related Articles” that you can find below posts in your news feed.
The update will be available starting today in the US.
It remains to be seen whether this specific measure can combat fake news on social networks, as it is very likely that, if it works on Facebook, others will adopt it.