WhatsApp trials new “Search the Web” fact checking tool

Jesse Collins
Fact checking tool - person using messenger service on phone

The feature is meant to support efforts made by users to verify the accuracy of in-app messages. WhatsApp is trialling a new fact checking tool mean to make it easier for users to verify in-app message accuracy. It is meant to make it easier for users to check the contents of a message against information on the web, said an announcement from the company. The feature started rolling out to the messaging app’s users at the start of this week. The fact checking tool called “Search the Web” appears as…

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Woolworths QR code contact tracing strategy to reduce chance of COVID-19 spread

L. Green
QR Code contact tracing - Woolworths supermarket

The grocery chain is also using mobile commerce tools to let customers book a shopping time. Woolworths has announced that it will start a pilot test of a QR code contact tracing strategy. It will also use its Rewards data where possible to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 among its shoppers. Customers can volunteer to take part in this tracing initiative by scanning a quick response code. To take part in Woolworth’s QR code contact tracing trial, customers will be offered the opportunity to scan a quick response barcode…

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Canada launches COVID Alert app for contact tracing

Julie Campbell
COVID Alert app in App Store

The application was built using Google and Apple developed Exposure Notification API. Canada has released its official COVID Alert app to its public, which was built using the Exposure Notification API developed by Apple and Google. This same Exposure Notification API is also starting to gain traction in the US. The new application was released by Health Canada, allowing citizens to report positive test results. Health Canada is the country’s department in charge of federal health policy. It is overseen by the Minister of Health. Though it had intended to…

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Facial recognition software is suffering from effects from the coronavirus

Sam Lambert
Facial recognition software - woman wearing face mask

Wearing face masks is making it more difficult for the algorithms to identify people. Face masks worn to slow the spread of COVID-19 are doing more than reducing exposure levels as they are also messing with facial recognition software accuracy. A new report showed that algorithms have a tough time identifying people wearing the masks. The report was issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a US Commerce Department branch. Among NIST’s tasks is to measure facial recognition software algorithm accuracy. Its new report showed that when…

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PayPal POS QR codes move ahead on the heels of its “strongest” quarter

Jorge Gonzalez
PayPal POS QR Codes - QR Code on mobile phone

The company has been making substantial plays to take large steps into physical points of sale. A new PayPal POS QR codes strategy was unveiled last week to help bring the company into a broader in-person shopping experience. The digital and mobile payments company is seeking to capture a larger number of transactions. These new PayPal POS QR codes have been announced on the heels of the company’s best ever recorded quarter. Though it has previously made moves to enter into physical points of sale, the San Jose, California-based business…

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