inFact

Background

inFact is an app that would allow a many-to-many strategy to fact-check current controversial topics. All news sources are biased, so it’s up to the users of inFact to find sources to back up claims. More sources means more citations on the topics information, allowing the consumer of the mainstream media to use identity correction to expose the truth.

Explanation

Users create the content of inFact– whether it’s topics, citations, comments, or linking related topics. Each topic (#executiveorders) would need information (bullet points) and citations for each bullet (e.g. whitehouse.gov). Each bullet will need two sources that corroborate the information, and it’s up to users to keep information and citations factual, current, and relevant. Topics could be suggested if they’re new– or their number of followers is rising quickly– and can be followed by users to stay up to date on the topic.

Credit

The idea of user reliant data collection was inspired by Frank’s gym app. The following and suggestion of topics is based on Twitter. The necessity for citations is based on the Wikipedia and the subreddit /r/askhistorians, where a user asks a question and an answer must have sources.

Budget

Software

• Server: $3/month
• App Development: $20/month
• Graphics Creation: $20/month

Hardware

• Computer(s): ~$1,500 ea.
• Smart Phone(s): ~$700 ea.

Man-Hours

• Solo: 100+ hours
• Collaborative: 40+ hours