The Jodel app claims to have more than two million users. How exactly does the platform, where contributions can be posted anonymously, approach the fight against fake news? A fictional story raises questions.
A user published a post over the weekend. Content: “Exactly five years ago I weighed 236 kilos. At the time, the doctors said that based on the current status, I had a maximum of two years to live. Today I weigh 76 kilos and have just received a confirmation: I have qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games and will compete as a professional athlete for Germany.”
The story is “completely unrealistic”
The post was interacted with thousands of times, and the unknown person even answered numerous questions from other users. He wrote, for example, that he did judo as a child, but was no longer able to do sports because of his obesity. As part of his weight loss diet, he finally started again and within a few years he was said to have become one of the world’s best.
Also interesting
Advertisement
Also interesting
Advertisement
▶ BILD followed up with the German Judo Association. It says: “The process is unknown and completely unrealistic.” The operator of the app, The Jodel Venture GmbH, was also asked. Among other things, BILD wanted to know why fictional stories are given a stage.
A spokesman said: The post “is a personal story. This can be real or fictional. The community judges this itself. Our users are aware of this context.”
But Jodel employees are obviously already failing because of this. A woman who, according to the verified signature, is part of the company, wrote: “Really awesome that you did that! Congratulations. Good luck for the Olympic Games! That’s really crazy.”
“Good luck for the Olympic Games!”: Jodel seems to believe fake news like this. BILD has redacted the employee’s name
Photo: Screenshot Private
The post was not deleted by Jodel
The user agreed to her question as to whether the post could be shared by the app operator. Jodel then played the contribution, which was initially only shown in Mannheim, across Germany – the fairy tale was out in the world.
Critically questioning a story that is obviously a lie? None. The Berlin company emphasizes that “there is basically no need to check when sharing this type of personal story, as it is expressly not news.”
The judo post has now been deleted. From the user, not from Jodel.
+++ App users take part in our survey here: If you could only use one network, what would it be? +++
What is the story of YOUR life?
We all have it, our own personal story. And BILD wants to hear you!
What makes up your life? What challenges have you experienced – and how did you deal with them? What experiences have shaped you – and made you stronger?
Write to us about your experiences at [email protected]!
Gladly with photos. Please provide your name, age, place of residence and cell phone number for questions.
If you wish, the editorial team can also treat your story anonymously.
2024-02-15 08:10:27
#German #app #spreads #fake #news #News
