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Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Rise Networks, a data science and artificial intelligence company, has launched the “Run-Am” mobile app to verify fake news and combat the spread of misinformation during the electioneering period.
Speaking at the unveiling of the app over the weekend, the founder, Rise Networks, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji said the platform, which can be accessed on Google Play Store, is a tool that will ensure efficiency and accountability of information during the 2023 elections and beyond.
She said that the project had the support of the MacArthur Foundation and the Center for Information, Technology and Development (CITAD).
According to her, the app has the news verification feature, image verification feature and voter-education feature to check misinformation that may cause violence during elections.
Also speaking at the function, the director, voter education and publicity, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Victor Aluko appreciated the company for its efforts at combating fake news that may undermine the electoral processes in the country.
He said, “We are going into a serious elections which will be contested by powerful individuals and political parties and you will see a situation where the electoral process will be pulled in various directions.
“When we have that, you will see a lot of combination of fake news, misinformation and disinformation and we are looking at how we can manage our results to make sure that people don’t misinform Nigerians.
“So when we have this type of App, from reputable organisations like this, we tend to identify with them and express our happiness that this is coming from a Nigerian organisation.”
Also speaking, the deputy country director, MacArthur Foundation Africa office, Dayo Olaide stated that democracy had continued to be faced with global threats across the globe which the growing influence of fake news and there is need for accountability even as Nigeria enters elections period.