This time WhatsApp introduces a Chatbot by Poynter Institute of Media Studies’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). All these efforts are done to control the spread of misinformation due to the coronavirus pandemic. Recently, WhatsApp put some restrictions over message forwarding in the WhatsApp to control mislead gossips over the application.
WhatsApp Introduces New Chatbot
WhatsApp is launching chatbot to connect its millions of users with 80+ fact-checking organizations across the globe. The goal of IFCN’s Chatbot is to check the information or hoaxes spreading regarding coronavirus. It is reported that Since, January more than 4000 hoaxes regarding COVID-19 have been identified by the 80+ fact-checking organizations in more than 74 countries. According to Director of IFCN, Baybars Orsek, “Since January, IFCN’s CoronavirusFacts Alliance has been utilizing the capacity of the fact-checking community to help users to sort truth from fiction by debunking falsehoods around the Covid-19 pandemic. The IFCN chatbot will allow users to search for fact checks and get connected with fact-checkers in their countries from their smartphones. The chatbot will also serve to direct people to their local fact-checkers’ websites.” Also, Public Policy manager & Global Election Lead at WhatsApp, Ben Supple said, “WhatsApp recently provided a grant to Poynter’s IFCN to support the valuable work of its verified signatories around the world in combating Covid-19 misinformation. We are very pleased to now be able to support IFCN’s essential fact-checking work with the launch of this important service for WhatsApp users. There are now more than 40 IFCN-verified fact-checkers around the world that are using the WhatsApp Business app to debunk coronavirus hoaxes for citizens in their respective countries.” By using this chatbot, people will be able to check about the spread information that either this is a piece of true information or just a rumor. Chatbot replies to you by checking the fact with the nearest Fact-checker. Chatbot identifies your nationality with the help of country code before your mobile number and will update you with correct information. By connecting IFCN’s Chatbot people can connect with the largest database and more than 80 fact-checkers across 74+ countries.
How to Use the Chatbot?
IFCN’s Chatbot is completely free of cost, you just need to follow the given steps and you will be able to check the information
Save +1 (727) 2912606 this number into your contact list or you can visit here.Send a “hi”.The chatbot will be activated and it will send you a message with a list.The list may look like thisSearch for fact checks Latest fact checks Tips to fight misinformationFind fact-checkers near me About usPrivacy
So, let’s suppose for an instance, you wish to check a fact or news you heard related to ginger.You have to send 1 as a reply.Then Bot will ask you to enter the related word or sentence.And suppose you type “Does ginger cure coronavirus” or you simply type “ginger”.After this Bot will search into its database and comes to you with all the relevant information present in the database related to “ginger” or “Does ginger cure coronavirus”.
Right now, the Chatbot is available in the English language only, but soon it will work for Hindi, Spanish, Portuguese too. As mentioned, IFCN chatbot collects correct facts and information from more than 80 fact-checkers across 70 countries and they update the database on the daily basis, so it is clear that if you search for any fact over the bot, it will give you the most relevant and correct information.
Closing Phrase
As always, WhatsApp is with a unique solution to debunk the rumors and misinformation regarding Coronavirus. WhatsApp introduces a new Chatbot which works with advance algorithm and provides you with the correct fact. This is the very great and appreciable step taken by WhatsApp. By using this Chatbot people will clear all their doubts and disbeliefs related to Coronavirus. Read More
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