Facebook Might Stop Removing COVID-19 Misinformation, Anti-Vax Claims
Meta is considering softening its stance on restricting COVID-19 misinformation over Facebook and Instagram.
The company has been removing false claims about the virus and COVID-19 vaccines since 2020 when the pandemic first began. The goal has been to prevent the misinformation from putting users into imminent harm.
But on Tuesday, Meta — formerly known as Facebook— suggested it’s starting to think the current policy may be too strict. “The world has changed considerably since 2020,” wrote(Opens in a new window) Nick Clegg, the company’s president for global affairs.
Clegg noted Meta’s current policy(Opens in a new window) calls for the removal of 80 distinct false claims about COVID-19 and the vaccines. However, he also said, “Meta is fundamentally committed to free expression and we believe our apps are an important way for people to make their voices heard.”
As a result, Meta is asking its Oversight Board —which acts as the company’s independent high court— for a recommendation on whether it should change the COVID-19 misinformation removal policy.
“As the pandemic has evolved, the time is right for us to seek input from the Oversight Board about our measures to address COVID-19 misinformation, including whether those introduced in the early days of an extraordinary global crisis remains the right approach for the months and years ahead,” Clegg said.
Cynical users may see this as an attempt by Meta to increase traffic over its social media platforms by turning a blind eye to sensational claims around COVID-19, which continues to be a hot topic. However, Clegg said the issue is more about balancing free speech against the need to stop dangerous content from proliferating.
“But resolving the inherent tensions
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