FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM TARGET VACCINE MISINFORMATION

Two digital giants Facebook and Instagram are going to ban more posts that spread COVID-19 misinformation to tackle conspiracy theories about the virus. On Monday, Facebook, driven by advisory from leading health organizations, updated its policies regarding information about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines and vaccines in general. Both platforms expanded the list of false claims that will be removed, including misconceptions around the origin of COVID-19 and claims about inefficiency and harm of vaccines. Facebook stated the new policies would immediately come into effect to counter conspiracy theories on social media. Facebook will also make it difficult to find accounts on Instagram, a platform owned by Facebook, that dissuade people from getting a vaccine. It is not the first time the media giant has renewed its guidelines. Since April 2020, Facebook has been directing users to sources like the World Health Organization and other health agencies through its COVID-19 Information Center and “pop-ups.”