TWITTER'S VERIFICATION SYSTEM AND THE SPREAD OF MISINFORMATION
Channel: Tin Tức 5.1
Date: 2023-10-22

Once known as Twitter, the social media platform, was a critical tool for information gathering and disseminating life-saving data. It played a significant role in coordinating emergency responses during crises, as reported by AFP. Twitter's conventional verification system was designed to ensure the credibility of sources and trusted information. However, recent alterations have transformed Twitter into a hub for violent videos, misleading images, and content taken out of context, particularly during recent conflicts. The platform used to reserve the coveted blue checkmark exclusively for prominent figures, journalists, or credible experts. However, a recent policy change enables any user to obtain this verification badge for a monthly fee of $8 (approximately 200,000 VND). This change has inadvertently opened the floodgates, allowing individuals and organizations to exploit the system for the dissemination of fake news and misinformation. False narratives are rapidly gaining traction across the Twitter platform. NewsGuard, a company that evaluates the credibility of news sources, revealed that among the top 250 most viral posts on Twitter regarding the Hamas-Israel conflict, nearly 75% were shared by accounts with the blue checkmark. Senior advisor Nora Benavidez from the Free Press organization in the United States expressed serious concerns regarding the absence of protective mechanisms, making it increasingly challenging for the public to discern between facts and falsehoods. The risk associated with the proliferation of misinformation on social media platforms is perceived as substantial and necessitates immediate attention from platform administrators.
 
 #twitter #verificationsystem #misinformation