Social media giant Twitter has introduced a way for users to report content on the platform as ‘misleading.’

Twitter users who see misleading information on the platform can report it by navigating to ‘Report Tweet’ and selecting the option which states ‘It’s misleading.’ They will have the option to provide additional information. 

The button is currently being tested which means that this feature is only available to some people in Australia, South Korea, and the US. Twitter stated that they ‘cannot respond and provide updates on reports submitted during this test phase.’

Twitter explained that they are ‘starting small’ to assess if it is ‘an effective approach.’ They stated that users’ input will help them to identify trends in order to improve the speed and scale of their ‘broader misinformation work.’

Disinformation and social media reporter Marianna Spring told the BBC that since the start of the pandemic ‘pressure has mounted on social media sites to do more to combat a wave of harmful falsehoods that have spread online.’

Spring continued on to state that this includes ‘unfounded conspiracies about Covid-19 and vaccines, as well as surrounding last year’s US election, which went on to inspire the riots at Capitol Hill and saw US President Donald Trump’s account suspended.’

However, there are some concerns over the effectiveness of the button, and whether it will be used appropriately. Spring suggested that the site may ‘struggle to moderate the avalanche of content reported,’ and those promoting falsehoods on Twitter may use the button to ‘flag accurate information as misleading’. 

On August 2nd, Twitter partnered with Associated Press and Reuters to expand their efforts to ‘identify and elevate credible information on Twitter.’ 

The program includes ‘ensuring that credible information is available in real time around key conversations as they emerge on Twitter,’ as well as ‘proactively providing context on topics garnering widespread interest including those that could potentially generate misleading information.’

Twitter explained that they are ‘committed’ to making sure people are able to ‘easily find reliable information’ when they use the app. The social media platform aims to increase the speed of their efforts to ‘provide timely, authoritative context across the wide range of global topics and conversations that happen on Twitter every day.’

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