Misinformation, interference, and fraud in relation to the National election will have no place on popular social media platforms. For the sake of a peaceful and safe general election in Kenya next month, Meta, formerly Facebook, has committed to take action against false information and fake news on its platforms. The company claims it has hired a group of local professionals to customize content posted on its platforms in an effort to cut down on election-related misinformation. Meta is the top company that controls the most popular social media such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
The statement from Meta states “the team selected has been working closely with the Kenyan election authorities and partners and has established a special Kenyan Elections Operation Centre to keep an eye on the kind of election-related content posted on the platforms”. More than 37,000 posts on Instagram and Facebook have been taken due to spreading hate while, 42,000 taken down due to advocating violence.
During this election period in Kenya, Meta intends to help prevent the spread of disturbing content and also disinformation.
In a statement, Meta said,
“It was employing more content reviewers, including Swahili speakers, and quadrupling the size of its worldwide staff dedicated to safety and security to employees”.
Using lessons from the past year’s election, Meta has made significant investments to help take aggressive action in fighting abuse across its platforms while rolling out policies and products to help ensure a safe and secure General Election statement from Meta Director of Public Policy East and the Horn of Africa”. The company has also, rolled out a number of rules and solutions that will help promote transparency, prevent voter tampering, and encourage civic involvement during elections.
According to Meta, as part of its work on elections, it eliminates the most harmful types of false information from Facebook and Instagram, such as material aimed at preventing voting or causing harm to people. The election campaigns this year have seen a rise in fake news, misinformation, active use of hate speech, provocation, fake numbers, exaggeration, and modification of images, videos, and politicians’ voices which has the potential to inspire anger and violence amongst Kenyans.
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