Facebook has removed over 3,000 accounts for COVID-19 and vaccine misinformation

Facebook is tightening up on users that propagandize against COVID-19 and its vaccines. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Facebook has removed over 3,000 accounts, pages, and groups for repeatedly spreading misinformation about the disease and its immunization shots.

The stats were shared by Facebook in its Community Standards Enforcement Report for the second quarter of 2021 on Wednesday, August 18.

While the numbers may be relatively low, researchers have discovered that the vast majority of the COVID-19 mistruths making the rounds on social media are produced only by a small group of anti-vaxxers.

In addition to the banned accounts, the social media giant also removed more than 20 million pieces of fallacious COVID-19-related content from Facebook and Instagram, as well as displayed warnings on more than 190 million pieces of COVID-19 related content on Facebook.

On the other hand, the report stated that more than 18 million people globally have used Facebook profile frames supporting vaccines and more than 7.6 million people globally have used COVID-19 vaccine stickers on Instagram.

Facebook said it has been addressing the issue in collaboration with 80 fact-checking organizations in more than 60 languages worldwide. In addition, VP of Content Policy Monika Bickert said in a separate report that their work is a continuing, rigorous process.

“Tracking and combating vaccine misinformation is a complex challenge, made more difficult by the lack of common definitions about what constitutes misinformation, and the reality that guidance from scientific and health experts has evolved and will continue to evolve throughout the pandemic,” she said.

“That’s why we’re continuing to work with external experts and governments to make sure that we are approaching these issues in the right way and making adjustments if necessary.”

Read more: COVID-19 vaccine scams intensify in Q1 2021

The post Facebook has removed over 3,000 accounts for COVID-19 and vaccine misinformation appeared first on Speed Magazine.

Source: Speed Magazine PH