Google Introduces “About this Image” Fact-Check Tool for Global Users
San Francisco, October 26: Google has expanded its “About this image” fact-check tool to English language users worldwide as part of its efforts to assist users in accessing credible information about images they encounter online.
The tool has been designed to provide an easy way for people to verify the authenticity and context of images they come across on the internet.
Through this tool, users will be able to delve into an image’s history, metadata, and the context in which it has been used on various websites.
Google explained, “You can access this tool by clicking on the three dots on an image in Google Images results or by clicking ‘more about this page’ in the About this result tool on search results.”
The “image’s history” feature enables users to track when an image, or similar images, were first indexed by Google Search, and whether they had been previously published on other webpages.
With access to an image’s metadata, users can view information, if available, that the image creators and publishers have attached to the image. This data can include details that indicate whether the image has been generated or enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI).
Moreover, users can explore how an image is utilized on other web pages and access insights from various sources, such as news outlets and fact-checking websites, to evaluate the claims associated with the image.
Google believes that this tool will be beneficial in assessing the veracity of claims made about images and provide perspectives and evidence from different sources.
In addition to the “About this image” tool, Google has also introduced the ‘FaceCheck Claim Search API’ for approved journalists and fact-checkers. This feature allows them to upload or copy image URLs to gain further insights within their own fact-checking tools.
Earlier in June, the company initiated testing of features through the Fact Check Explorer tool, enabling fact-checkers to explore fact-checks, references, and other related information associated with specific images.
Furthermore, Google is experimenting with generative AI technology to assist in describing sources, particularly for unfamiliar sellers or unknown blogs.
