Facebook shows its caring side with new reactions

Facebook has launched new Care reactions on its platform and on Messenger as a way for users to express and share their support to one another. In a series of tweets, Facebook’s EMEA communications manager Alexandru Voica said that the new Care reactions will be rolled out globally next week and will be alongside the existing six reactions on both platforms.  On Facebook, the reaction includes an emoji hugging a red coloured hug tightly, while on Messenger, the emoji would be purple pulsating heart. 

The social media giant recently committed US$20 million to the UN Foundation, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the CDC Foundation in a bid to tackle COVID-19. Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that Facebook is matching up to US$10 million in donations to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO and 100% of funds will directly support the work to prevent, detect and respond to the outbreak worldwide. The solidarity response fund enables individuals, companies and foundations worldwide to directly support WHO's global work to help countries prevent, detect and respond to the virus outbreak in accordance with the WHO strategic preparedness and response plane.

According to the fundraiser description on Facebook, the donations support efforts to track and understand the spread of the virus; to accelerate efforts to develop vaccines, tests, and treatments; and ensure patients get the care they need and frontline workers get essential supplies and information.

Meanwhile in a previous statement to Marketing, Facebook's spokesperson said it has already added strong warning labels to the false content, alongside a link to accurate information from its fact-checking partners, which include Associated Press, AFP Hong Kong, PolitiFact, and Rappler IQ in the Philippines. This forms part of its efforts to tackle the spread of fake news during the virus outbreak. Separately, Instagram is no longer allowing users to search for COVID-19-related AR effects, unless they were produced in partnership with a recognised health organisation. The platform said in a tweet that this is part of its ongoing effort to better connect users to credible health information.

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