Facebook and Instagram Direct Over a Billion Users to Authoritative COVID-19 Facts
Facebook aggressively combats COVID-19 misinformation by directing over a billion people to authoritative health resources across its apps. The company provides free ads to the WHO and launches new fact-checking tools on WhatsApp.
Facebook actively combats COVID-19 misinformation by connecting users to accurate information from the WHO and CDC. Educational pop-ups appear at the top of Facebook News Feed and Instagram when users search for coronavirus-related topics. The newly launched COVID-19 Information Center provides real-time updates from national and global health authorities, successfully directing over a billion people to reliable resources.
On WhatsApp, users access daily health alerts with the latest case numbers and prevention tips directly from the WHO. The platform also partners with national health ministries in multiple countries to deliver location-specific updates, resulting in over 100 million messages sent to users in a single week. Additionally, Facebook donates $1 million to the International Fact-Checking Network to expand fact-checking capabilities and allows users to submit rumors directly to experts.
Messenger plays a crucial role by connecting government health organizations and UN agencies with developers to build helpful communication tools. Facebook further supports global health efforts by granting the WHO unlimited free ads and providing millions in ad credits to other health authorities. These comprehensive measures ensure that timely, accurate public health messages reach people precisely when they need them.