Social media code of ethics unlikely to tame fake news, say analysts

NEW DELHI: The voluntary code of ethics adopted by social media companies like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, ShareChat and Google ahead of elections may not do much to curb the menace of fake news and misinformation, social media analysts, fact checkers and analytics companies said.

The code of ethics is also unlikely to tame fake news on WhatsApp, considering the absence of traceability on the platform, they said.

Companies such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, WhatsApp and ShareChat agreed on Wednesday to adhere to a code of ethics ahead of the general elections.