Inspiration
We wanted to create an easy way for users to fact-check news articles directly within their browser. With the rise of misinformation, Refact aims to provide a tool for quick, accessible fact-checking.
What it does
Refact allows users to input an article's text, and it verifies the information using the Perplexity API. It delivers fact-check results in real-time through a user-friendly interface, helping users verify claims easily.
How we built it
The project uses a Flask backend to connect with the Perplexity API, which performs the fact-checking. We built the frontend using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, designed for a smooth experience inside a browser extension. The extension communicates with the backend to process requests and display the results.
Challenges we ran into
We had some struggles in connecting the Flask backend to the frontend, particularly in setting up a reliable flow of information between the browser extension and the server. Ensuring seamless communication was crucial to avoid delays in fact-checking.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We successfully integrated a functional fact-checking system using the Perplexity API. The browser extension works smoothly, and we’ve achieved a user-friendly interface.
What we learned
We learned the complexities of building a backend that interfaces with browser extensions, especially regarding API integration and managing cross-domain communication between the frontend and backend.
What's next for Refact
We plan to expand Refact by integrating additional APIs for more comprehensive fact-checking. We’re also exploring adding other tools like article summarization to further enhance the user experience.
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