WhatsApp Helpline To Be Launched By Meta And MCA To Tackle Deepfakes And Misinformation
The WhatsApp he;pline by Meta and Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA) will be available from March 2024. People can use the helpline to filter out information and check its authenticity.
Deepfakes and Misinformation: Meta and Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA) will be launching a fact-checking helpline on WhatsApp. The helpline is being launched to combat artificial intelligence-generated media (deepfakes) deceiving people on matters of public importance and also providing people with verified and credible information.
According to reports, the helpline will be available from March 2024. The new initiative is being introduced with the help of independent fact-checkers and research organisations to address viral misinformation, especially deepfakes.
Identify AI-generated Misinformation
Shivnath Thukral, Director, of Public Policy India, Meta said that tackling the concerns around AI-generated misinformation requires appropriate measures. He further added that the organisation is committed to working with industry stakeholders to introduce technical standards of AI detection, transparency solutions and policies along with providing people on the platforms with resources and tools to make it simpler for them to identify content generated by using AI tools.
People can flag deepfakes by sending them to the WhatsApp chatbot which will also offer multilingual support in English and three regional languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu)
Fact-Checking by Industry Partners
A Central Deepfake Analysis Unit will also be set up to manage all inbound messages received through the helpline and work closely with members fact-checking organisations, industry partners and digital labs to assess and verify the content providing accurate responses to the messages.
Meta’s fact-checking programme in India includes partnerships with 11 independent fact-checking organisations which will help users to identify, review, and verify information and help prevent the spread of misinformation on its platforms. The company also announced an AI labelling policy which will label images users post on the platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Threads indicating that they are AI generated.
Sherin is an education journalist with over 7 years of experience. Over her tenure of working with top media houses like Careers 360 and then Jagran Josh, Sherin has covered various entrance examinations liek JEE Main, NEET, CUET, GATE, etc. as well as various state board and CBSE results. Her understanding of the education ecosystem coupled with her own experience of teaching as an Assistant Professor of nearly 2 years helps her provide a comprehensive perspective to students. She has a Masters Degree in Communication from Madras Christian College. Apart from covering education news, Sherin also enjoys reading and cooking.
