twitter may slow down users’ ability to ‘like’ tweets containing misinformation

Twitter is actively working to increase the visibility of its labels identifying tweets containing inaccurate information. The platform is currently developing a new function, which is not yet available to the public, that will display a “misleading information” notification when a user attempts to express approval of a tweet previously flagged for misinformation.

This addition to the Twitter application was identified by software researcher Jane Manchun Wong through examination of the app’s code. She has verified that while the feature introduces a delay, it does not prevent a user from ultimately liking the identified tweet.

Currently, a comparable alert is shown to users when they try to share posts that have been designated as containing misinformation.

This upcoming feature aligns with other steps Twitter has taken to reduce the dissemination of false information on its platform, including a recent modification to the retweet process. Starting on October 20, 2020, Twitter began encouraging users to create a quote tweet instead of a direct retweet.

This added step is intended to encourage users to consider the content they are sharing and to pause before amplifying it, similar to the effect of requiring users to click through and read the content before sharing.

Furthermore, Twitter implemented a series of new guidelines in the lead-up to the U.S. election to better manage misleading tweets. In addition to labeling misinformation, the platform applied more prominent warnings and limitations to tweets originating from U.S. political figures, including candidates and their associated accounts, as well as other U.S.-based accounts with substantial follower counts or engagement levels.

These warnings were displayed on tweets asserting premature election victories and were largely created in response to indications from then-President Trump that he might not readily accept the election results. However, the use of these stronger warnings may decrease in the coming weeks and months, given the unfavorable outlook for the legal challenges brought forth.

Although the election may have brought the issue of misinformation into sharper focus, it continues to be a substantial challenge for modern social media platforms. A growing number of individuals are unwilling to engage with factual information, even accusing organizations dedicated to fact-checking of bias. It is uncertain whether any changes to the user interface can effectively address this issue.

Twitter states that it currently attempts to limit the reach of misinformation by preventing labeled, misleading tweets from appearing in search results or in users’ main feeds unless they actively follow the account that posted them. However, these tweets can still be responded to, liked, and shared by users.

Twitter has acknowledged that the feature discovered by Wong is under development, but has not provided a specific timeline for its release.

“We aim to provide individuals with the necessary context and resources to locate reliable information on our service—regardless of the subject matter or where they encounter the Tweet,” stated a Twitter representative. “This is an ongoing process, and we are continually investigating features and policies to assist users on Twitter in making well-informed decisions.”