Facebook takes fake news ‘very seriously’

Facebook takes its responsibilities over fake news “very seriously” and is “focused” on removing the financial incentives for peddling false information, says chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg.

Facebook has faced fierce criticism after it was found to be taking money from hoaxers placing misleading adverts on newsfeeds.

One advert claimed, entirely falsely, that Apprentice star Alan Sugar was “out of control”, and featured an apparently manipulated picture of the Amstrad founder with bruises on his face.