Facebook has been actively trying to curb the spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic that the world is currently engulfed in. Users have noticed a new pop-up notification that appears on the app directing them to additional COVID-19 information. But why are you seeing this pop-up and can you disable it? Here is everything you need to know.
How is Facebook helping combat the spread of misinformation
There is no getting around the fact that no matter where you look, you see people talking about the pandemic. Social media apps have taken it upon themselves to keep users informed of developments, by creating a platform to spread information. However, this comes at the cost of misinformation.
The old saying stands true, ‘Do not believe everything you read on the internet’. But how do you know what is true and what is false? Earlier this year, Facebook announced that it would be introducing a ‘Fact-checking‘ function, that would help notify users whether the information they are sharing has been verified or not.
Related: How to Report a Facebook Page
What is the COVID-19 pop-up on Facebook?
Building on the premise to curb the spread of misinformation, Facebook has introduced a new way to direct users to verified information about the pandemic. Previously, Facebook had introduced a banner at the top of the Facebook app directing its users to verified pages like WHO, and local health agencies.
Facebook has now introduced a new pop up notification that notifies you when the post you are sharing contains content related to the COVID-19. The pop up provides a link to the newly launched ‘Coronavirus Information Center’ on Facebook, which has the latest stats and information from around the world. The Information Center also provides local news and stats depending on where you are accessing the app from.
Why are you seeing COVID-19 pop-up notification on Facebook
The new pop-up notification is auto-enabled on all Facebook accounts and works to inform users about the content they are sharing. Currently, the pop-up only appears when you try to share a post that contains information about the coronavirus. Facebook has not disclosed how it is identifying content, but it seems to be quite accurate.
When you try to share a post that contains information about COVID-19, you will receive a pop-up informing you about the same. The idea is to let users know what they are sharing, even if it is not stated outright in the title. You can then simply tap ‘Continue’ and go ahead and post the article.
The pop-up also lets you know the origin of the article as well as when it was first published. This helps users stay informed about how old the information they are sharing is.
Can you disable the COVID-19 pop-up notification on Facebook?
Unfortunately, there is no way to stop COVID-19 notifications from popping up each time you share a post about COVID-19 (as of August 14, 2020).
Facebook has not made this an opt-in feature. On the bright side though, the new pop-up notification in no way prevents the users from sharing posts. All it does is add one extra step (where you must tap ‘Continue’) while sharing a post. And it’s probably worth it, no?
There is no indication as to how long the pop-up notification will remain on Facebook. What do you think of the new notification pop-up on Facebook? Let us know in the comments below.
Related:
- How To get the COVID-19 Exposure Notification System
- How To Make A Post Shareable On Facebook
- COVID-19 isolation: Master working from home with these handy tips
This article sucked and was not helpful, at all.
No, it’s not worth it…
I am tired of seeing Facebook and fact checkers lie and censor people!
The vaccination is killing more people and causing way more damage and problems & Covid-19 is just their way of being able to manipulate the sheeple and push their agenda.
A small percentage of the population, that controls the rest of the population is planning on killing off a lot of people and you evil tards and expediting it!
No, Facebook is actively trying to curb the distribution of helpful information about this whole scam, including information on how dangerous the quick to market poison dart is. Sadly, it’s all coming out now, people are injured and dying. I lost a friend to this horrible jab. Facebook removed a group of over 100K members who were all either injured from this poison dart, or they lost someone to it. Who the hell does Facebook think they are? And why are you protecting such criminals? Don’t you dare tell any of us that Facebook cares about “misinformation.” Facebook cares about money and power, not people.
This is so stupid. I am sick and tired of being reminded about how good vaccines are and how thoroughly tested they are when that is a total lie and deception.
Facebook makes no mention of Vitamin D, natural antibodies, natural immunity, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, regeneron, or anything else that can cure SARS-CoV-2.
So stupidly annoying. I want that notification completely gone.
I can’t click off these annoying popups fast enough.
I couldn’t agree more. I can’t click the “X” fast enough.
Very stupid and misleading article. One ends up here in the hope to find a way to disable those fucking popups just to read thru the whole article upto the end where it says “unfortunately there is no way to disable it” !
The answer is yes you can, I used ADGUARD extension and in the right click menu un the there is a block adds on this website and then will prompt element blocking box then just select the Div container and block it just be carful to select correctly or you could potentially mess up the website a bit.
No, it absolutely is not worth it and should have an option to be disabled. I’m 100% pro vaccination, I do my bit to stay healthy. I’m absolutely sick of Facebook pushing their agenda on me even when I agree with the information. I’m sick of “See More Covid-19 Information” on the bottom of any post remotely close to Covid 19 or some bs about climate change. I don’t care if they have those options, but let me disable it and get back to seeing my friends be successful at work while playing guitar and getting wasted.
This article sucked.
I though I was the only one hating this pop-up.
Facebook should allow us to disable it after we’ve already seen it so many times!
No, it’s garbage, and appears in lots of posts that have nothing to do with Covid, don’t mention covid, immunisation, injections, the latest was about a military re enactment.
You do not have to tell me a thousands times how bad Covid is. What makes you think your informations is anymore reliable than other media outlets? All you are doing is brainwashing people into thinking the world is coming to an end. Everyone is going to die from COVID. Shame on you.
Facebook so-called “fact checkers” are a bunch of leftist bastards who have been dismantled several times.
I don’t give a flying fck if Facebook is trying stop miss information about the spread of covid! I don’t need it shoved down my throat. I have my Doctor who I am sure is more educated and has the degree to provide me information should I need it. I no longer use the phone app. Social Media is not the public library. Mark Zuckerberg can shove this up his ass. Big Tech should also be held liable for miss information. If the Vaccine is so fcking safe then why is employees with the CDC, Congress, white house and other government office exempt from getting it? Why is big pharma exempt from Liability? So before you all start preaching about the Vaccine. Answer these questions.
Facebook needs to stop shoving this down our throats. Facebook is as bad as fake news. TAKE THIS OFF FACEBOOK!!!!!!!! Make this an option stop forcing us to look at it.