Facebook, Google join voluntary code to combat fake news

Miranda WardMedia writer

Feb 22, 2021 – 8.10am

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Facebook and Google have signed up to a new voluntary code of practice designed to reduce the risk of online misinformation and disinformation.

The Digital Industry Group (DIGI) has launched the new code following a request by the government in December 2019 following the digital platforms inquiry.

Google has signed up to a voluntary code aimed at limiting the spread of disinformation. AP

Twitter, Microsoft, TikTok and Redbubble have also signed up to the code, committing to adopt a range of measures that should reduce the spread and visibility of misinformation and disinformation.

Misinformation is categorised as false or misleading information that is likely to cause harm while disinformation is false or misleading information that is distributed by users via spam and bots.

The code targets paid content, fake bots and accounts that spread misinformation, and also targets political advertising by requiring platforms to help Australians understand the source of content they see online.

It will be overseen by the media regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), and comes at a time when conspiracy theories regarding the COVID-19 vaccine are spreading online.

“This new code of practice has seen a diverse set of digital companies collaborate with each other, government, academia and civil society to propose solutions to the incredibly complex challenges of misinformation and disinformation online,” DIGI managing director Sunita Bose said.

“In this code, we’ve worked to get the balance right with what we think people expect when communicating over the Internet. Companies are committing to robust safeguards against harmful misinformation and disinformation that also protect privacy, freedom of expression and political communication.”

With the aim of tackling the spread of harmful content, measures may include labelling false content, suspending accounts of users engaging in the spread of misinformation and providing users with tools that may enable them to exclude their personal access to certain types of digital content.

The tech platforms may also prioritise credible and trusted news sources that are subject to a published editorial code.

The new code of conduct comes just days after Facebook banned all news content from its platform in Australia in response to the proposed news media bargaining code, legislation designed to level the playing field between the tech giants and the news publishers which is expected to become law by the end of the week.

As part of the code, signatories will be required to release annual transparency reports about their efforts under the code. The first of these will be released by DIGI in May.

Miranda Ward is a journalist covering media and marketing for The Australian Financial Review based in the Sydney office. Connect with Miranda on Twitter. Email Miranda at miward@afr.com