Thessaloniki gets ready for its metro launch in November
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
The European Commission published their reports as part of the EU Disinformation Monitoring Programme
Social media and big tech companies are stepping up their game when it comes to fighting disinformation. Just last month, TikTok’s vaccination campaign in Ireland reached 1 million people, while Google Maps can now show vaccination centres in France, Poland, Ireland and Switzerland.
The European Commission published Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Google and Microsoft’s reports on the measures they took against unreliable information in the month of June.
These reports are part of an EU Disinformation Monitoring Programme aimed at countering this phenomenon specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic. They give updated information about what these big companies are doing to better their services during these trying times.
TikTok reports that it will continue to work with governments on its campaign supporting vaccination. Their campaign in Ireland features student scientist volunteers, providing young people with a source of reliable information about everything from the accuracy of antigen tests to mental health issues that can arise from isolation. The campaign reached over 1 million viewers and got over 20,000 likes last month and the plans are for it to be extended until the end of the year.
Twitter, on the other hand, is currently working on improving its automated machine learning tools, responsible for the removal of harmful content. They are doing this through human reviewers, which will greatly speed up the process, allowing for an accurate bot moderator.
Microsoft has extended their partnership with NewsGuard, allowing all Edge users to take full advantage of the NewsGuard browser extension to receive warning labels about websites that spread unreliable information about COVID-19 and vaccines.
Meanwhile, Google has teamed up with public health authorities to add vaccination locations to Google Maps. Currently, the feature is available in France, Poland, Italy, Ireland and Switzerland.
At the same time, Facebook is running ad campaigns about the benefits of vaccination through authoritative sources. They are also collaborating with Michigan State University to create a mechanism for the reliable identification of deepfakes.
European Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, was quoted in a press release, saying: “The EU fulfilled its obligation of bringing enough doses for the safe vaccination for every EU citizen. Now, all interested parties need to take action and overcome cautiousness for the vaccine caused by disinformation.”
If you want to keep up with how European cities and regions are changing, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
That’s because the state has to spend money on updating the railway infrastructure rather than subsidizing the cost of the popular pass
Rethinking renewable energy sources for the urban landscape
The examples, compiled by Beyond Fossil Fuels, can inform and inspire communities and entrepreneurs that still feel trepidation at the prospect of energy transition
Now you can get your wine in Talence by paying directly in Bitcoin
The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns (ESCT) sets the stage for stronger cooperation between the EU, national and local level to fast track Europe's transition to climate neutrality.
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
The underground rapid transit lines have been under construction for almost two decades due to various project delays
At least, that’s the promise made by the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo
Hostal de Pinós is located in the geographical centre of the autonomous region
Despite its church-y name, the district has long been known as the hangout spot for the artsy crowds
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital