Tools for Fact-Checking

If you are not sure if something you see online is truthful, consider fact-checking it before you share it.

There are many tools that make fact-checking faster and easier. 

• MediaSmarts Fact Search
• AFP Fact Check
• Snopes

If you can't find information using the sites above, use these steps:

• Find the Source - Check the link to see who published the information.
• Verify the Source - Check Google or Wikipedia to see if the source has a good reputation or is real.
• Check other Sources - Search other news outlets to see if they are reporting similar stories. 

For Tips on How to spot false information, visit MediaSmarts 

Spot Fraudulent Websites

Fraudulent Websites can spread disinformation because they look legitimate. 

Fraudulent websites often are imitations of trusted organizations or government agencies to appear trustworthy.

If you are unsure whether a site should be trusted:

• Search for the the organization on Google, follow the link, and make sure it leads to the same place.
• Visit the Wikipedia page for the organization and check that the information matches and when it was last updated. 

Spot Fake Social Media Accounts

Fake Social Media Accounts often spread disinformation.

The Better Business Bureau suggests these tips to help spot fake accounts:

• Check the profile photo - Fake Accounts don't typically have a profile photo, or they have one that was copied from somewhere else online. Do a reverse image search to see if the profile photo is a copy.
• Look for recycled images - Stock Images and memes tend to fill the feed for fake accounts. If there aren't any original photos, the profile may be fake.
• Look for Typos - Many spelling or grammatical errors or little written content are signs of a fake account.
• Look at the Account Profile - Is it new? Does it contain information about the person? (i.e. their real name, occupation, or background)
• Look for a verified badge -  Most social media platforms have verified badges, like the blue check on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). If the person/people you follow is famous or influential, check for the verified badge.
  • Accounts are not necessarily a trustworthy source of information, only that the account owner has been verified by the platform.
• Look at the engagements - Engagements can be purchased by fake account owners. If the majority of the comments seem random, contain emojis only, or all come from a single commenter, the engagement is likely artificial.
• Look at the follow-to-engagement ratio - Followers can also be purchased by account owners. If an account has thousands of followers with little to no engagement, it's likely fake.
• Beware of political opinions that are polarized - If an account never reveals information about who is posting and only posts one-sided political views, it may be a fake using the platform to mislead people.
• Be wary of scams -  Fake social media accounts are used by scammers to trick you into clicking on links that will infect your device with malware. Only click on links you trust!

Conduct a reverse image search

A reverse image search can be used by electors to prove if an image has been altered, copied from somewhere else, or created using AI. 

Reverse Image searches are made by copying the image (or image URL) into the search bar of an image search tool. The results will show if the image appears anywhere else online. 

Tools you can use to do a reverse image search:

• TinEye
• Google Lens

Counter Disinformation

If you find false information online:

• Don't share it - Doing nothing is the best thing to do. By not sharing false information or content you are helping to stop the spread of disinformation online.
• Ask a question - Asking a question can be an effective way to correct false information. If you prefer not to do this publicly, you can send it in a private message or email. Asking them: "Are you sure" or Is that from a reliable source" can help them realize that the information may need to be reviewed.
• Correct it - Correcting false information by giving accurate information from a reliable source instead is a great option. Just make sure you use a reliable source, and show where it came from. Don't repeat bad information or tell people that they are wrong. Show them the facts with accurate information.
• Debunk it - Debunk information that is false by saying it's incorrect and showing them why. Don't link to the original social media post, use a screenshot instead.
• Report it - You can report disinformation to most social media platforms. Click on "Report Post" to flag the post or comment for review by the platform. You can also do the same for posts or comments in groups on most platforms but will have the option to report to the group administrators or moderators. 

Facts about Voting

Elections Yukon has created the Facts about Voting webpage to ensure electors have access to accurate information about the 2025 territorial election processes. 

The webpage lists common false information about the Yukon's election process and provides accurate information stating why it is false. 

This page only covers false information about election processes. Elections Yukon will not fact-check political claims or debates. We are the experts on election processes, so we can take action to ensure electors have accurate information about how territorial elections work in the Yukon.