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In an update to its COVID-19 disinformation policy, Facebook will begin to suppress false claims about COVID-19 vaccines. The update comes as a COVID-19 vaccine has been cleared in the UK and further clearances are expected to be applied in the US and around the world shortly. But some experts say these types of policies are too late to stop the flow of vaccine misinformation.
The policy previously called for removing posts containing false information about the virus that could cause “imminent physical damage.” Facebook is now expanding the policy to include all vaccine articles that contain claims that have been “debunked by public health experts.” This includes conspiracy theories – such as vaccines containing microchips – and false claims about the safety, efficacy, ingredients, or side effects of vaccines.
Facebook says the app won’t happen overnight, and as the facts about COVID-19 vaccines evolve, the list of claims that constitute a withdrawal will be regularly updated. But even with an expanded policy of job cuts, much of the damage from vaccine misinformation has already been done.
Anti-vaccination rhetoric has often proliferated in small private Facebook groups. Hundreds of small groups are more difficult to monitor and eliminate than larger ones, and they can spread anti-vaccination messages to groups that have no obvious connection to conspiracy theorists. Experts fear the constant spread of misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the pandemic will make people more hesitant to get vaccinated.
Many major platforms have come under pressure during the pandemic to tackle misinformation about COVID-19. When it comes to vaccine-related claims, Facebook is behind YouTube, which began removing videos containing misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine in October. As vaccines begin to roll out, it will be important that these platforms maintain strict moderation on vaccines. content.
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