The Microsoft Edge browser has a new feature that will delight many Internet users, namely a solution to detect "fake news" .The question that can naturally be asked: is this a false good idea?
The Redmond firm has updated its Edge web browser's mobile application to include a feature that can detect misinformation on the web, thanks to a partnership signed with NewsGuard's human team that seeks to identify reliable sources of information.
Edge goes to war against misinformation
However, like any tool, it can be subject to technical or human concerns, which may lead to controversy depending on the proposed results. Indeed, in the end it is quite difficult if you think about it, to really put limits to what is a real "Fake News". For example, in the United Kingdom, the Daily Mail website has only received a score of 1 in 5 and one tip says: "Caution: this website generally does not meet our standards for accuracy", yet the Daily Mail is far from being a Fake News machine, it can be accused of sensationalism, but not of constantly inventing false information. It is the second most widely read periodical in the country every day.
Steve Brill, co-founder of NewsGuard defended his tool and said: "Microsoft has nothing to do with this, we take full responsibility for the verdicts we attribute and all complaints must be directed to us. They can blame us. We are happy to be blamed. Like any platform, we must be accountable. We want people to arbitrate our system, in a transparent way. We are not an algorithm and are working to improve the overall level of journalism".
NewsGuard for Edge is therefore available within the Microsoft Edge application for Android and iOS. It should be noted that nothing is imposed on the Internet user, who remains free to activate it manually or not on the browser. To do this, go to the "Settings" menu, then select the "News Rating" option, easily identifiable via its blue dot. Once enabled, the feature will display a note on all the sites you visit.
The fact remains that I don't know what you will think about it, but leaving it in the hands of others to say which source of information is reliable or not, to something relatively frightening. In wanting to defend democracy, are we not muzzling it in the same way? Especially since it is hard to imagine people reading their favorite Fake News sites on a daily basis, installing this kind of plugin or activating it spontaneously.
A case to follow, especially since Facebook and Google have more weight on the web and information than Microsoft, are also working on this kind of features.
A case to follow, especially since Facebook and Google have more weight on the web and information than Microsoft, are also working on this kind of features.