This file photo shows the Twitter app icon on a mobile phone in Philadelphia. (PHOTO / AP)

Twitter Inc on Wednesday said it was testing a new feature on Android devices that prompts users to open articles before sharing them.

The social media company has been tightening its policies in recent years amid criticism that its hands-off approach had allowed abuse, fake accounts and misinformation to thrive on its platform.

READ MORE: Trump signs social media order after Twitter fact-checks him

In May, Twitter prompted readers to check the facts in tweets sent by US President Donald Trump, warning that his claims about mail-in ballots were false and had been debunked by fact checkers.

ALSO READ: Trump threatens to shut social media firms after Twitter fact check