Facebook’s dilemma: How to police claims about unproven COVID-19 vaccines

Facebook is coming under increasing pressure to fact-check misinformation about vaccines. But, when it comes to Covid-19, how do you fact-check information about a vaccine that doesn't exist?

Facebook has removed more than 7 million pieces of content with false claims about the virus which could pose immediate harm since January. File Picture.

Since the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus an international health emergency in January, Facebook has removed more than 7m pieces of content with false claims about the virus that could pose an immediate health risk to people who believe them.

The social media giant, which has long been under fire from lawmakers over how it handles misinformation on its platforms, said it had in recent months banned such claims as ‘social distancing does not work’ because they pose a risk of ‘imminent’ harm. Under these rules, Facebook took down a video post by US president Donald Trump in which he claimed children are “almost immune” to Covid-19.