By PTI
NEW DELHI: Ahead of outcomes of the meeting polls in 5 states, Koo has issued an advisory to sensitise customers to harness social media in a accountable method and in addition curb unfold of misinformation and faux information.
In a press release, the micro-blogging web site on Friday stated it has launched group tips for its customers within the 10 languages which are operational on the platform.
Results of elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur can be declared on March 10.
Koo stated it has additionally restricted over 800 handles thus far after discovering them posting “spammy or unwarranted content”.
“Ahead of election results in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttrakhand, Goa and Manipur, the Koo app has launched an advisory to sensitise users to harness social media in a responsible manner and to curb misinformation and fake news,” the assertion stated.
“As part of the advisory, Koo has also released its community guidelines in all the 10 languages that are operational on the platform,” it stated.
The assertion stated faux information is “often” proliferated by bots or spam accounts and Koo “proactively” displays and restricts the actions of such accounts to restrict misinformation.
“From December 1, 2021 till February 28, 2022, we spotted more than 4,720 handles that identified themselves as news channels or journalists or being related to news in any manner, out of which 834 handles have been restricted due to spammy or unwarranted content,” it stated, including “we continue to monitor their behaviour”.
Noting {that a} spike in misinformation is “usually witnessed” on social media earlier than election outcomes, the micro-blogging platform stated it has enabled customers entry to “prominent third-party fact-checkers” for the aim of authenticating info.
“Being a social media intermediary, Koo itself does not assess accuracy or interfere with content, unless required by the law,” the assertion stated.
Enabling entry to fact-checkers is reiteration of Koo’s dedication to constructing security and transparency on-line, it stated.
Koo stated that its group tips are aligned to “the Indian context” and so they empower the creators, in addition to first-time customers to construct extra “wholesome content”, whereas detailing out what constitutes accountable on-line conduct.
The tips carry “specific references” to faux information and misinformation, and inform customers on the significance of verifying info earlier than posting, whereas refraining from calling out info as faux with out ample proof, it stated.
“As a social platform for self-expression in native languages, we celebrate creators and empower users to adopt a more holistic approach online to foster creativity and innovation. Misinformation is a key concern ahead of crucial events. Through this advisory, Koo – as a responsible platform – can help restrict the proliferation of fake news and malice, and promote greater online safety and transparency,” Koo’s CEO and co-founder Aprameya Radhakrishna was quoted as saying within the assertion.
The advisory will encourage customers, particularly first-time customers to leverage expertise “in a positive and respectful manner” to construct extra significant conversations on-line, he stated.
“Koo endeavors to identify best practices on a continuous basis to provide users with a secure and immersive experience,” Radhakrishna added.
The micro-blogging platform stated it had earlier launched ‘Koo Voters Guide’, forward of the elections in a number of languages, to empower first-time voters on their rights and duties as enshrined within the Constitution of India.
“Koo has also been augmenting voter literacy to build greater trust in the electoral process,” it stated, including that it has “successfully” executed voter consciousness campaigns like ‘PledgeToVote’, ‘UP ka Manifesto’.
