Facebook’s dilemma: How to police claims about unproven Covid-19 vaccines

Drawing the line between true and false is more complex for the new Covid-19 vaccines, fact-checkers said, than with content about vaccines with an established safety record. Facebook representatives said the company has been consulting with about 50 experts in public health, vaccines, and free expression on how to shape its response to claims about the new Covid-19 vaccines. — Reuters

LONDON/NEW YORK: Since the World Health Organisation declared the novel coronavirus an international health emergency in January, Facebook Inc has removed more than seven million pieces of content with false claims about the virus that could pose an immediate health risk to people who believe them.

The social media giant, which has long been under fire from lawmakers over how it handles misinformation on its platforms, said it had in recent months banned such claims as ‘social distancing does not work’ because they pose a risk of ‘imminent’ harm. Under these rules, Facebook took down a video post on Aug 5 by US President Donald Trump in which he claimed that children are “almost immune” to Covid-19.