Phony `fact check' account on Twitter raises new concerns
Posted November 20, 2019 6:00 am
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Social media companies have vowed to tackle misinformation in politics. But when Britain's Conservative Party changed its Twitter account to look like a fact-checking site, the only consequence was a promise from Twitter to take action if it happens again.
The party changed the name of its press office Twitter account to 'œfactcheckUK'ť during a televised election debate this week.
The incident has raised new concerns about all the creative ways groups and individuals can use social media to deceive voters.
In this photo issued by ITV, Boris Johnson, left, and Jeremy Corbyn, right, shake hands during their election head-to-head debate live on TV, in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn are set to go head-to-head in their first live televised debate Tuesday evening, as the UK prepares for a General Election on Dec. 12. (ITV via AP)
The Associated Press