YouTube, Facebook & Instagram Bans Anti-Vaccine Content
YouTube announced last Wednesday that it is banning videos that speak out against the Covid-19 vaccine.
YouTube is halting the spread of anti-vaccine content that it alleges paints the vaccine, or any vaccination type, in an ugly light. Last Wednesday, it updated its Community Guidelines to reflect vaccine standards that local and international health organizations have researched. The company stated that its Community Guidelines have always prohibited medical misinformation and have continuously removed content over the years that covers false medical advice, including disproved vaccine myths, such as the stereotype that vaccines cause autism or cancer. YouTube stated that it removed over 130,000 videos that did not comply with the Guidelines. Since its inception, the Covid-19 vaccination garnered a mostly positive reaction, with only a minority of critics taking to YouTube to oppose it.
Nicki Minaj also took to Twitter to share her personal story of someone she knows who alleges he got permanent side effects when he received the dose. “My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied,” Minaj Tweeted on September 13. Afterward, Minaj claimed Twitter suspended her account for spreading vaccine misinformation. Twitter later denied suspending or altering Minaj’s account.
Facebook also deleted what it deemed vaccine misinformation, resulting in the deletion of 18 million posts. Instagram, also owned by Facebook, took control of users’ content and banned what it deemed misleading covid information.
For more New York City Technology news and culture, follow us on Instagram, Twitter @NYCWired, and sign up for our Newsletter below.
