The International Fact-Checking Network’s WhatsApp chatbot puts the power of the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance at your fingertips. As of May 4, fact-checking networks in 74 countries have compiled over 4,800 fact-checks in 43 languages.
We’ve created this chatbot to give WhatsApp users easy access to that data with a few keystrokes.
Let’s get into how it works:
Say “hi”
Either click this link or text “hi” to +1 (727) 291-2606. That brings you to the bot’s welcome page:
You’ll see options to help you access fact-checks on a certain topic, learn more about fact-checking networks near you, or learn techniques to protect yourself from misinformation. Let’s walk through what the chatbot can do.
Press 1 – Keyword search
Right now the chatbot allows you to search for fact-checks based on English keywords, but we’re adding additional languages in the coming weeks like Spanish and Hindi. If you type in “bleach,” two fact-checks from the database about bleach will come up. You can type the “+” to get additional fact-checks about your original search or type in a different keyword for another search.
Press 2 – Latest fact-checks
The chatbot will bring up two of the latest fact-checks from networks in your country (or whatever country code your phone is associated with).
“But IFCN, I don’t want to see fact-checks from the United States! I want to see fact-checks from Italy.”
Fear not, dear user. Type the name of whatever country you like, and the chatbot will pull up the latest from fact-checking networks in that country.
Press 3- Tips and tricks
This feature gives you six tips and tools from global fact-checking organizations for how to avoid common misinformation traps. The chatbot lists the tips and gives a link to the full article plus detailed information on how to do a reverse image search.
Press 4 – Find fact-checkers near me
This gives you the option to learn more about the fact-checking networks in your country working night-and-day to protect you from the COVID-19 infodemic. You’ll get links to their websites, and for those that have them, you’ll get a link to that organization’s chatbot.
If you have a cell phone number with a country code different from where you are located, or you simply want to learn more about other fact-checking networks in other countries, type in that country and the chatbot will connect you. It is case-sensitive, so make sure you capitalize your country.
Press 5 – About us
Who are these people doing all this fact-checking and fighting all this misinformation about COVID-19? The chatbot connects you to information both about the IFCN and the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance along with links to their web pages.
It also offers you the additional option of pressing 7 to get more information about the IFCN’s Code of Principles. The chatbot gives you basic information along with a link to a YouTube video about the principles, and a link to more detailed information.
Press 6 – Privacy
This is where we let you know what data the chatbot collects and what we do with it. Bottom line: We don’t sell it. Read the full privacy statement below for more information.
Harrison Mantas is a reporter for the International Fact-Checking Network covering fact-checking and misinformation. Reach him at hmantas@poynter.org or on Twitter at @HarrisonMantas.
