Apple News Launches Curated Coronavirus Section to Combat Misinformation
Apple introduces a dedicated COVID-19 section in its News app to provide users with fact-based reporting from trusted publishers. The feature aims to curb dangerous misinformation by offering curated health guides, outbreak maps, and direct links to official resources.
Apple introduces a dedicated section within its Apple News app to help readers stay informed about the coronavirus outbreak. This special coverage area features fact-based stories from reputable publishers that Apple News editors carefully curate. The launch directly addresses the ongoing struggle across social media platforms to contain dangerous misinformation, such as bogus cures and conspiracy theories about the virus origins.
Users see a prominent banner at the top of the Apple News homepage that directs them to this organized COVID-19 roundup. The section displays the latest headlines from trusted sources like The New York Times, NBC News, and CNN, alongside an interactive map tracking the spread of the virus. It also includes practical resources, such as a guide to understanding the epidemic, tips on proper handwashing and disinfectants, and instructions on how self-quarantine works.
In addition to the featured articles and health guides, the bottom of the page provides a list of official resources including links to the CDC and State.gov. Users also have the option to follow the "coronavirus" topic within the app to receive real-time alerts about the latest developments. While Apple regularly uses these dedicated sections for major events like U.S. elections, this response arrives slightly later than similar initiatives from other major tech platforms.