EXCITING NEWS: TNG WhatsApp Channel is LIVE…
Subscribe for FREE to get LIVE NEWS UPDATE. Click here to subscribe!
Twitter is currently testing a new feature that will change how users of the microblogging platform interact, going forward.
The feature, which asks users whether they have read an article before they retweet it, appears to be aimed at slowing the spread of unverified information.
According to the 280 characters platform, the feature is currently in testing on Android; but there is no word on a wider rollout of it.
“Sharing an article can spark conversation, so you may want to read it before you Tweet it. To help promote informed discussion, we’re testing a new prompt on Android –– when you Retweet an article that you haven’t opened on Twitter, we may ask if you’d like to open it first,” a tweet by the platform reads.
Twitter and other social media platforms are struggling to contain misinformation, which often is passed along by users who fail to review details of the comments they are sharing.
Last month, Twitter decided to limit the reach of some comments by US President Donald Trump, in one case because they were misleading and in another case because of a violation of platform’s rules on promoting violence.
The president responded angrily and signed an executive order which could strip away some legal liability protections of social media firms, although it was unclear if the measure can be enforced.
Sharing an article can spark conversation, so you may want to read it before you Tweet it.
To help promote informed discussion, we're testing a new prompt on Android –– when you Retweet an article that you haven't opened on Twitter, we may ask if you'd like to open it first.
Advertisement
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) June 10, 2020
Meanwhile, there are concerns if the Twitter’s new feature is a revenue stream trap, with Twitter saying the new feature is designed only to empower healthy and informed public conversation.
We're not testing ad products with these prompts. They're designed to empower healthy and informed public conversation.
Advertisement
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) June 10, 2020
“For this experiment, if you tap to Retweet an article link, we’ll check if you’ve recently clicked the article link only on Twitter, not elsewhere. When you see the prompt, you’ll always have the option to go ahead and Retweet,” the platform tweeted.
For this experiment, if you tap to Retweet an article link, we’ll check if you've recently clicked the article link only on Twitter, not elsewhere.
When you see the prompt, you'll always have the option to go ahead and Retweet.
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) June 10, 2020