As panic about the coronavirus outbreak spreads seemingly faster than the disease itself, social media companies are taking action against fake news about it published on their platforms.
With the coronavirus spreading to new places across the world, international panic continues to ensue online. To keep misinformation about the disease and outbreak from causing unnecessary alarm, social media platforms have begun moderating content related to the disease in an attempt to control the virality of false, disease-oriented information.
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg updated the company's statement on coronavirus information on March 3, outlining that the company is offering free advertising to the World Health Organisation and other organisations for their coronavirus response efforts. Simultaneously, the company will be removing "false claims and conspiracy theories that have been flagged by leading global health organisations." Searching for the name of the disease on the platform will provide users with the most recent information regarding the outbreak provided by either local or international health authorities.
On Instagram, hashtags which are often used to spread misinformation about the virus will be blocked or restricted. Content shared containing false info about the disease and its spread will be removed.
Like on Facebook, users who conduct coronavirus-related searches will be provided with an "educational pop-up with credible information." Furthermore, health organisations will be given free ad credits to run informative coronavirus campaigns.