Mind the Gap: Facebook’s measures against information disorder do not go far enough

Abstract

In recent decades, a revolutionary transformation has substantially altered the way people access information. Online social media platforms have become a significant facet of our daily lives. The intersection of political discourse with the proliferation of what is commonly termed as “fake news” on these platforms has given rise to an environment that does not necessarily foster independent and critical thinking, thereby posing substantial risks to individuals, industries, and governments. While Facebook has implemented novel strategies to counteract this challenge, their efficacy remains questionable. Drawing from an analysis of fact-checking activities conducted during two Brazilian elections, this study aims to illuminate the key areas of focus within corrective information and assess its impact on Facebook. Our examination also highlights our critique of the lack of standardized measures, utilizing Meta’s tool (CrowdTangle) for this qualitative study. Ultimately, our study concludes by offering insights into potential policy alternatives that could be adopted to address this phenomenon.