Category: Hoax

Conspiracy Theories Fact Check Hoax misinformation Youtube

YouTube starts to fact-check search results

sudshr47 March 7, 2019

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YouTube is dealing another blow to conspiracy theorists and disinformation peddlers.

 The video platform has started rolling out text prompts, known as “information panels,” that provide fact checks when users search certain terms or phrases. The feature is currently being rolled out to a limited number of users in India, one country in particular where the spread of fake news has fatal consequences.

An example of YouTube's information pane feature which fact checks search results on the platform.

An example of YouTube’s information pane feature which fact checks search results on the platform.

Image: YouTube

YouTube provided the screenshot above as an example. In this case, a user searches for information regarding a well-known internet hoax about the painkiller paracetamol carrying a hemorrhagic disease called the “Machupo” virus. At the top of the search results page, the user receives a prompt with information debunking the claim. Read more…

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advertisers Hoax Media momo TC Videos Youtube

‘Momo’ videos on YouTube cannot be monetized…but that’s not a new policy

sudshr47 March 1, 2019

Be warned, YouTube creators: making videos about the latest viral hoax, the “Momo challenge,” will not make you money. Over the past couple of days, the Momo challenge has gone viral once again, leading to a sharp increase news coverage and the number of YouTube videos discussing the topic of the creepy character and the […]

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Facebook Hoax News Feed newsfeed Rumors

That ’26 friends’ Facebook rumor was a hoax — but here’s how you can actually game the News Feed

sudshr47 February 8, 2018

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The latest hoax that the Facebook world soundly fell for was the idea that only 26 (or 25) friends could see your posts. In copy-paste messages that made rounds on the Newsfeed, Facebook users asked their friends to comment with a simple “hi” to show that the post had appeared in their feeds — demonstrating that they were one of the Chosen 26.

It’s pretty miraculous that this needed debunking, since many of the posts I saw, at least, had more than 26 individuals commenting on them. But it’s especially far-fetched if you know anything about how the Facebook algorithm works. As Mark Zuckerberg recently reiterated when he announced changes in the algorithm to favor posts from friends and family over brands and news outlets, the more people who interact with a post, the higher it will rank in the News Feed algorithm.  Read more…

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Australia Culture Hoax Web Culture

The curious case of an alleged phony footballer turned anti-gang media commentator

sudshr47 January 8, 2018

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You can be anyone you want to tell people you are, until you enter the public eye. Then, you might get found out — and one Nelly Yoa is learning the hard way.

In the past week, Australia’s media and politicians have whipped up a frenzy on a supposed “African gang crisis” consuming Melbourne.

The issue has flared up in the country, with front page after front page from newspapers demanding action on the matter, and one politician declaring it “out of control.” Home Affairs minister Peter Dutton told a radio station that people were “scared to go out to restaurants” because of gangs.

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Far Right Hoax London Migrants Refugees

No, this viral tweet doesn’t show a migrant setting fire to a London bus

sudshr47 November 20, 2017

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Fake news stories often target migrants or refugees in an attempt to carry out a far-right political agenda. 

Take for example this tweet purportedly showing an immigrant in London setting fire to a bus and then walking away: 

The footage is quite appalling so it’s no surprise it went viral among hardline rightwing supporters on Twitter, who exchanged tweets on how Britain needs to get rid of migrants or Muslims:

Image: screengrab/twitter

There is a problem with the video in the tweet though: it’s fake news. 

The video conflates two separate incidents, one from Erdington, Birmingham and the other one from Lewisham, London.  Read more…

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Bbc Fake News Hoax Parody Zimbabwe

The BBC is quoting a dodgy Zimbabwean Twitter account which called for hipsters to be shot

sudshr47 November 15, 2017

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UPDATE: Nov. 15, 2017, 11:21 a.m. GMT The BBC has apologised for erroneously describing @zanu_pf as the official account of Zimbabwe’s ruling party Zanu-PF.

Earlier we mistakenly described @zanu_pf as the official account of Zimbabwe’s ruling party Zanu-PF. We are sorry for any confusion

Follow the latest developments here: https://t.co/KrhuBr7Wbg

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 15, 2017

Confusion and chaos are dominating the news in Zimbabwe after the military took over the national broadcaster, ZBC, saying it wanted to “target criminals” around president Robert Mugabe. 

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Bill Clinton Conversation Fake Hoax Leeds

No, this isn’t a real conversation between Bill Clinton and Tony Blair

sudshr47 November 13, 2017

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Fake news and hoaxes are like zombies: just when you think they’re dead, they make a spectacular — and unexpected — comeback, stronger than before. 

A Twitter account called “History Lovers Club” — one of those social media aggregators of quirky, compelling photos from the past — tweeted the following exchange between former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, saying it’s a “genuine conversation”:

This is а genuine conversation between Tony Blair and Bill Clintonpic.twitter.com/4koxeqbPzj

— History Lovers Club (@historylvrsclub) November 11, 2017 Read more…

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