The Italian-based fact-checking project Facta has developed a free service to limit the spread of COVID-19 misinformation during the current global pandemic.
Using Turn.io technology, users in Italy will be able to share COVID-19 related news, videos, images or audio that they would like to verify through Facta’s WhatsApp platform.
The Facta editorial team will then assess the claims and, using Turn.io’s automated information response technology, will reply to users, pointing them to content already published on Facta’s website, the latest debunking articles and other information.
The focus on limiting the spread of COVID-19 misinformation is in line with Facta’s mission to debunk hoaxes, fake news and disinformation. The Italian service launched on 2 April 2020 under the slogan "Choose what not to believe", with the aim of informing readers about whether news circulating in the media and social networks is false, decontextualized or inaccurate.
To Facta check COVID-19 information, message +393421829843 on WhatsApp.
August 13, 2020
