The outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is wreaking havoc across the world with the death toll rising to 6606. As people are grappling with the spread of this respiratory disease, it is taking a toll on tech giants all because of the misleading information and fake videos being shared on the internet and some major social media platforms including YouTube. However, Silicon Valley Company Google has taken initiative to take down the fake coronavirus videos from YouTube that are causing people to panic.
Alphabet Inc. and Google CEO Sundar Pichai in an official blog post mentioned that the company with its Artificial Intelligence (AI) based technology has removed over thousands of fake videos from YouTube which were related to ‘dangerous or misleading coronavirus information.’
Pichai in the blog post said that Google will continue to remove videos that promote medically unproven methods to prevent coronavirus infection instead of seeking medical treatment.
As per a report, Google has removed numerous videos from YouTube for content policy violations and the company’s reliance on automated software during the raging pandemic.
That said, Pichai mentioned that on YouTube, the company will be using the homepage to direct users to credible videos from the CDC and other locally relevant public health agencies. There will be highlighted content from authoritative sources and information panels to provide additional context to the users.
Google began blocking over thousands of ads ‘attempting to capitalize’ on the coronavirus outbreak since January. Further Pichai in the blog post cited the company’s announcement made last week on a temporary ban on all ads for medical masks and respirators.
As for the web-based mapping service- Google Maps, the automated and manual review systems will take down false and harmful content like fake reviews and misleading information about health locations, Pichai noted.
Notably, Alphabet’s subsidiary Verily in collaboration with local and federal health authorities in the US is building a website to help establish testing sites. Google CEO earlier said that the company has partnered with the US government to develop the website that will provide COVID-19 related information, its prevention, and local resources nationwide.
Although Google said that it will roll out an ‘initial version of website’ on March 16 we are yet to witness the new website. The Redmond-based company Microsoft meanwhile has recently introduced an interactive map-based COVID-19 tracker earlier this week. In case you are unable to find credible information on the internet you can check Microsoft Bing’s COVID-19 tracking website for better details.
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