FACEBOOK has vowed to ban conspiracy theories about coronavirus vaccines.
It’s a major policy U-turn, after previously only banning “anti-vaxxer” advertisements – but not user content.
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The news comes as the UK prepares to launch the biggest vaccination effort in history, administering tens of millions of doses to vulnerable Brits.
In a blog post, Facebook confirmed that it would remove any false claims about vaccines.
These claims will first need to have been debunked by public health experts.
According to the social media giant, false claims could relate to the “safety, efficacy, ingredients or side effects” of the vaccines.
“This is another way that we are applying our policy to remove misinformation about the virus that could lead to imminent physical harm,” said Kang-Xing Jin, Facebook’s Head of Health.
“For example, we will remove false claims that COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips, or anything else that isn’t on the official vaccine ingredient list.”
Facebook also said it would remove obviously false conspiracy theories.
This includes the suggestion that specific populations are “being used without their consent” to test the vaccine’s safety.
However, Facebook warned there may be a delay for action.
“We will not be able to start enforcing these policies overnight,” Jin explained.
“Since it’s early and facts about COVID-19 vaccines will continue to evolve, we will regularly update the claims we remove based on guidance from public health authorities as they learn more.”
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
