The trick is to check it before you share it.
Here is what you do:
Stop
Ask yourself: “Why should I believe this message?”
Do that every day, not only on April Fools’ Day
trace
Go to the link of the content creator’s page where it was published.
Can’t find such a link, but you still believe the content?
Happy April Fools to you again!
Check
Is the website or social media handle that published it a credible source?
April Fools don’t stop, trace, and check.
Don’t be an April Fool
If you can’t stop, trace, and check — don’t share!
How?
“Trace-it” by Verité Research
Verité Research uses Trace-it as a publishing standard for its digital content. If the content is ours, it will carry a QR code that links back to the original source where we published it.
We believe that all credible publishers should do the same, because content that cannot be traced back to its source is at high risk of being manipulated.
When you see content that cannot be traced back to the publisher, be cautious. Avoid the unhygienic behaviour of forwarding it to others.
Verify Publisher Traceability
Trace-it uses a unique digital fingerprint to ensure that all reliable content is traceable back to credible producers, while revealing manipulated content.
Scan QR
Go to Trace-it
Verify the source
Trace-it is part of Verité Research’s broader commitment to promoting responsible sharing and verification of content. Verité Research will support other credible publishers who wish to adopt Trace-it.
For more information, email mediaservices@veriteresearch.org
WhatsApp stickers for forwards of Unknown Origin!
This year, Verité Research is launching a WhatsApp sticker pack to discourage the forwarding of messages of unknown origin.
Messages of unknown origin, rumours, and misleading claims are often spread through private and group chats. Use these stickers when a message cannot be traced to a credible source.
Sometimes the right response is not another forward, but a prompt to stop, trace, and check.
To receive the sticker pack, join our WhatsApp channels
Step 1
Tap “View Sticker Pack” in the WhatsApp chat.
Step 2
Tap “Add to your stickers”.
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