Facebook Announces New Updates: Covid-19 Fact Checker, Alerts About Masks On Instagram & More

Facebook is trying to be more resourceful in busting Covid-19 misinformation and alerting people about exercising necessary precautions.

(Representational Image: Getty)

New Delhi: Social media giant Facebook will launch a dedicated tab 'Facts About Covid-19' - on its platform to keep a check on the misinformation being spread about the pandemic.  Reportedly, the section may be launched on Tuesday. It will focus on busting common myths related to Coronavirus, as informed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), such as many promoting drinking bleach or taking hydroxychloroquine as a cure for Covid-19. "This week we are launching a dedicated section of the Covid-19 Information Center called Facts about Covid-19," the company said in a statement. "This is the latest step in our ongoing work to fight misinformation about the pandemic," they added. The company will go a step further and set alerts to remind people for wearing masks, at the top of its Facebook and Instagram apps. With this, it aims to keep people aware and mindful. "We have connected over two billion people to resources from health authorities through our Covid-19 Information Centre and pop-ups on Facebook and Instagram with over 600 million people clicking through to learn more," the company stated. It further informed that since January, people have raised over $100 million for Covid-19 related fundraisers on their platforms - Facebook and Instagram. Meanwhile, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has criticised the Donald Trump administration for its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to him, the US response to the spread has been inefficient when compared to even many developing countries. Screensharing Other than Covid-19 related information, Facebook has now made screen sharing available on the Android and iOS apps of Messenger, besides the desktop app and Web. Screen sharing enables users to share their screen with friends and family one-on-one or in a group video call with up to eight people and up to 16 people in Rooms while using Messenger on their mobile devices. It also allows users to share a live view of your screen so you can share virtually anything together. (With Agency Inputs) WATCH | TikTok is Working in India Even After It Was Banned?