Vaccine Misinformation On Facebook Draws Criticism From Joe Biden

Most of the incorrect and conspiracy-based vaccine information on the social network gets its start from 12 “superspreader” accounts, whose reach Facebook has not been able to limit.

By Shelly BrisbinJuly 22, 2021 9:23 am,

Last week, President Biden said disinformation about COVID-19 on Facebook was “killing people.” Though he later walked back that charge, the administration remains at odds with the social media giant over the continued spread of anti-vaccine rhetoric and false information.

Tech expert Omar Gallaga told Texas Standard that criticism of Facebook from Biden and others focuses on anti-vaccine information spread on Facebook.

“The biggest criticisms are against a group called the ‘disinformation dozen,’ which are a set of accounts that are primarily responsible for the bulk of the anti-vaccine misinformation out there.”

Highlights from this segment:

– The majority of vaccine misinformation comes from several authors, doctors and activists who are known vaccine opponents. The most well-known is environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

– Conspiracy theories spread widely on Facebook, and on the company’s other platforms, claim COVID-19 vaccines are not safe, and even that those who take them are implanted with a microchip. That is not true, and would be scientifically impossible.

– Facebook says it has removed more than 18 million pieces of COVID-19 misinformation.

– Potential government responses to misinformation could threaten free-speech rights of posters and social media platforms.

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