Three interns, eight classes: what we discovered from verifying claims in Meta’s third-party fact-checking programme in 2024
The Meta programme is a partnership between the platform and unbiased third-party fact-checkers licensed by the nonpartisan Worldwide Reality-Checking Community (IFCN).
These fact-checkers establish, confirm and fee viral misinformation throughout Fb, Instagram, X, Threads and WhatsApp.
The programme has taught us some necessary classes this yr. Three Africa Verify interns in Nigeria share their tales, developments and classes discovered from the programme.
Intern: Muktar Balogun
1: It is the Wild West of engagement bait – do not fill in that type!
The web is filled with every kind of data, together with on how one can make cash from residence. Nevertheless, some folks use doubtful means whereas at it, deploying engagement bait – a social media tactic that straight solicits likes, feedback, and shares from social media customers.
We encountered too many of those. The hook is usually simply the promise of a reward, however clicking by way of sends you down a rabbit gap.
There may be additionally the chance of phishing, during which these actors gather your private particulars and use them to attempt to trick you into offering delicate data.
Simply bear in mind, getting into your data on random web sites might result in id theft.
2: Scammers are strategic hunters
The folks behind rip-off posts are as strategic as those that work 9 to five authorized jobs.
For instance, with the festive season in full swing, there may be an inflow of posts about “giveaways or packages”. Kindness is within the air throughout this era, and the scammers search to use it.
In one other instance, fraudsters created pages to impersonate e-commerce retailer Jumia through the platform’s Black Friday gives. The pages used the platform’s identify and emblem to persuade customers of their authenticity. Most legit companies ask customers to put orders on their web sites or apps. Watch out of pages that ask you to ship a non-public message on Fb or WhatsApp, or to name the quantity offered.
3: Belief is forex on-line
Trusting your family and friends greater than a stranger is human nature. Scammers know this and use it of their makes an attempt to take your cash. This has change into a typical sight on Fb – accounts asking their buddies and followers to put money into a scheme to double their cash shortly.
Scammers can take over your folks’ accounts. A sudden publish about investing ought to elevate suspicion in case your pal has by no means posted about it.
Additionally watch out for the feedback one can find beneath such posts – they’re typically feedback from different accounts run by the scammer.
Learn extra on how one can spot dangerous funding schemes and scams on Fb in Nigeria.
Intern: Denzel Amobi
4: Credible and verified sources stay necessary
Reality-checking well being claims requires utilizing dependable sources reminiscent of peer-reviewed analysis, respected well being organisations such because the World Well being Organisation and professional opinion to make sure accuracy and evidence-based conclusions.
One instance was our fact-check of a much-shared declare {that a} 10-second swing can shrink an enlarged prostate in males “virtually instantly”.
Frequent signs of an enlarged prostate embody a relentless have to pee, ache when peeing and an lack of ability to empty the bladder.
Consulting specialists is important to confirm a declare like this, so we contacted two who instructed us there was no scientific proof to help the declare.
Elevated bodily exercise could scale back the chance of an enlarged prostate, however this may not be sufficient to treatment or reverse the signs.
5: Well being misinformation comes alive throughout outbreaks
Well being misinformation spreads quickly by way of social media, phrase of mouth, and cultural beliefs, particularly throughout illness outbreaks.
For instance, it was claimed on-line {that a} combination of salt, sugar and dry gin might treatment cholera. Reality-checking helps to elucidate how one can hint the origins of such claims, perceive why they resonate with sure audiences, and how one can tackle them successfully.
The cholera outbreak in Nigeria in 2024 highlighted the truth that epidemics triggered a spread of misinformation in regards to the illness or its treatment. That is necessary as a result of it retains fact-checkers abreast of recent misinformation that would hurt folks.
6: Reality-checking well being claims requires simplicity
Reality-checking is about greater than refuting false claims; it’s about offering correct and accessible data to assist the general public make knowledgeable choices.
The main focus needs to be on speaking well being info in a means that’s simple to know and appeals to a large viewers. It’s because scammers additionally know that simplicity is vital and use this to get folks’s consideration.
For instance, in a false declare that guava leaves can treatment abdomen ulcers (quantity 13 on the publish’s checklist), the knowledge was damaged down in an easy means in order that anybody, no matter their background, might simply learn and perceive it. However even when a well being declare is written within the easiest method attainable, it shouldn’t be trusted if it’s not backed up by scientific proof.
Intern: Treasured Ewuji
7: Scammers simply shapeshift
One of many methods persons are scammed on social media platforms is through the use of the names of legit organisations to deceive unsuspecting folks.
Scammers typically create posts, graphics and movies that seem legit, with official logos of the organisations, names of high officers and convincing language. Generally, these posts are fastidiously crafted to create a way of credibility and authenticity within the reader.
An instance that illustrates this tactic properly is a declare we not too long ago fact-checked that the Nigeria Customs Service was auctioning off luggage of rice, automobiles, and vegetable oil at ridiculously low costs.
Many of the posts making this declare featured movies of NCS officers and workplaces, and there was additionally an alleged WhatsApp contact variety of the NCS “advertising and marketing officer” for folks to contact. It’s best to verify the NCS’s official web site and social media accounts to see if the declare is true.
Scammers will use any means essential to lure you into their lure, so be cautious in regards to the posts you interact in.
8: The hazard of miracle cures
The attract of a single treatment for a number of illnesses might be tempting, particularly for persistent well being issues. Due to this fact, claims that natural mixtures or medication can treatment all types of a selected illness needs to be handled with scepticism.
We not too long ago investigated a declare on a Fb web page a few natural combination that may treatment all eye illnesses, together with glaucoma, cataracts and blurred imaginative and prescient. The publish additionally included a hyperlink to a web site that appeared to have opinions from prior prospects, the Nationwide Company for Meals and Drug Administration and Management emblem and particular gives to influence folks to purchase.
However a professor of ophthalmology confirmed {that a} single drug can not treatment all eye illnesses.
Generally, claims {that a} drug cures many types of illness are exaggerated and false. These medication are normally promoted for monetary acquire relatively than to treatment illness.
