Facebook has stated that it is committed to fighting coronavirus misinformation by removing content that promotes bogus preventatives and cures. But Media Matters has found ten businesses that are using the platform to peddle products that can supposedly, among other things, “protect” against the coronavirus, “prevent” it, or “kill” it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that “there is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.” The Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission have been sending warning letters to companies that promote their products as being able to treat, cure, or prevent COVID-19.
Recent reports have documented problems with coronavirus misinformation spreading on Facebook, including posts spouting COVID-19 conspiracy theories and bogus treatments or cures. Facebook has said that it’s committed to removing “content with false claims or conspiracy theories” and also “claims related to false cures or prevention methods”:
The company’s efforts certainly aren’t complete. There are still numerous businesses on Facebook that are promoting false claims regarding various products…
To read the entire article from Media Matters for America, click https://www.mediamatters.org/coronavirus-covid-19/facebook-says-its-removing-content-promoting-false-coronavirus-preventatives