Facebook Battling Hoaxes Aided By A Meme?
Facebook Battling Hoaxes Aided By A Meme?
Mary Cris BalancioYear 2015 is about to end in a day, but it doesn't seem like that will stop people from being gullible to a hoax that has already been announced to be untrue. Such is the case of a Facebook hoax that has been debunked earlier.
If one could recall, earlier this month an announcement by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife about donating 99% of their Facebook stocks was made public. Days later, the hoax claiming that the social network will be giving out $4.5 million USD to 1,000 people who will share that post circulated around the web.
Variations of the hoax started appearing, and users started sharing it after being duped into believing that it was true. An earlier version of the hoax started on the first day of December after the couple's daughter was born.
The consumers, out of curiosity, greed and whatnots, posted variations of this hoax for some time. Some of these variations went on to say it wasn't a hoax. Others also started posting messages of gratitude toward the CEO of the social media.
A lot has been duped that it almost appeared to be true until Facebook itself confirmed to several news outlets that the announcement is not true. And on a post, the social network also asked them to not let their friends copy and paste memes.
The social network said that while there is truth to the fact that Zucherberg had made a pledge to give some of their money to help improve the world, not everything that a person reads on the web is true. The Facebook post went on to say that the couple is not giving that fortune randomly. It was ended with a message wishing "sweepstakes sweepers" to be safe.
The hoax, however, became popular. And with that post, the social network has garnered again some publicity. But that seemed to have attracted pranksters, as the hoax now has a meme version saying that users can receive a "magical unicorn" after sharing the viral post.
The meme has now been going viral. And since having been posted just this Dec. 27, it is reported to have already been shared more than 30,000 times on Facebook alone. The meme is said to have also made its way to other social media platforms like Twitter.
most read
related stories
more stories from Trending News
-
The Slip and Fall Law
The onus lies on you to prove to the insurance company that the property's hazardous situations caused your fall and injuries.
-
Tax Tips for Small Businesses
Tax is an uncomfortable subject for some people. It's complicated but compulsory. Small business owners may feel overwhelmed by the regulations
-
4 SEO Problems That a New Website Won't Fix
Are you considering blowing up your website and building it from scratch? Are you unhappy with how your current site is performing or ranking?
-
The Best Projects for Your Raspberry Pi
If you haven't heard of the Raspberry Pi, this device represents one of the best and most handy innovations of the previous decade. If you haven't heard of the Raspberry Pi, this device represents one of the best and most handy innovations of the previous decade.
-
Five Tips for Building a Website When You Don't Have a Lot of Time
There was once a time when websites were just for businesses and bloggers. That's not the case anymore. Today, everyone should have a website. Even if you aren't starting a small business and don't want to spend every spare minute writing articles for your blog, having a website is like having a digital business card. It's a great way to showcase your professional portfolio for anyone and everyone who might be interested in hiring you.
-
5 Things You Should Know About Investment Intelligence
Investors know that investing money is always a big decision. With that being said, on the one hand, there are risks involved, and, on the other, there are also opportunities for great returns. This causes investors to be very strategic about their decision-making process.
-
Tips for Using Google Ads in 2020
Google Ads is a tremendously powerful advertising platform. You can target specific types of people, searching for specific things at specific times of the day, in specific locations!
-
How to Use Digital Strategy to Promote Your Online Business
Your business's digital strategy must be revisited regularly and adjusted to your company’s needs. In the ever-changing world of online business, you need to make sure that your venture stays relevant and that you're always one step ahead of your competitors.
To have the biggest impact, build a strong website and concentrate on SEO, which you can boost through a blog. Focus on email marketing campaigns, press releases, and competitions to raise awareness. If you aren’t sure where to start, outsource to a consultant.
