YouTube will delete misinforming COVID-19 vaccine videos. The global pandemic is still far from being under control, the efforts of scientists around the world continue to make great strides toward what could be the first effective vaccine against COVID-19. However, this scenario among laboratories has provided the perfect excuse for many to start spreading false information about the disease on social networks, with videos on YouTube, postings on Facebook and Twitter, and a host of strings on WhatsApp.
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Fortunately, these platforms are taking action by taking responsibility for their position to try to censor content that could endanger public health. “A COVID-19 vaccine may be imminent, so we make sure we have the right policies in place to eliminate misinformation related to a COVID-19 vaccine,” shared Farshad Shadloo, a YouTube spokesperson.
Today Youtube updated its Disinformation Policies with new specific rules for COVID-19, prohibiting and directly eliminating publications that falsely suggest that the coronavirus does not exist or is not contagious and dangerous, as well as those that discourage users from seeking conventional medical care, and any content that contradicts information from health experts or the World Health Organization.
In fact, YouTube assures that since February they have already eliminated more than 200,000 videos that contained misleading or dangerous information about the coronavirus and COVID-19. In the future, YouTube plans to introduce additional measures that will promote accurate information about COVID-19 vaccines.
YouTube will delete misinforming COVID-19 vaccine videos and also Facebook recently announced new ad policies. They will ban ads that discourage vaccination. Unfortunately, these restrictions will not apply to advertisements promoting government vaccine policies or to organic posts by any user or group within their social network.
