A recent video quickly went viral on several social media platforms before it was removed by tech companies for spreading misinformation regarding alleged treatments and cures for COVID-19. The video features a group of people in lab coats who proclaim themselves as, "America's Frontline Doctors" speaking outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington. These people proclaim that hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug is a proven cure for coronavirus and there is no need for anyone to wear masks. If that sounds a bit too good to believe, it's because it is.
This is the latest instance of on Facebook alone.
As reported by the use of face masks significantly and effectively reduces the risk of spreading the virus. The video may appear legitimate at first glance, but it's always a difficult battle to argue against science.
Why Was The Viral Video Removed?
Put simply, the video spreads fear and information that is simply not true. Social media titans have phrased it more eloquently, but they have specific policies in place for videos just like this one to prevent the spread of misinformation before it goes viral. Since some of the people featured in the video are actually doctors and ers of the anti-vax movement, this video quickly spread through similarly themed Facebooks groups. Additionally, Donald Trump tweeted multiple versions of the video on his Twitter before it was removed. For reference, Trump currently has over 84 million followers whom he shared that false information with. It's easy to see how and why such a video became so widespread, so quickly, but what do the social media companies have to say about removing it?
Facebook claimed the video violated its policy for spreading false information regarding cures and treatments for coronavirus. Facebook has been a prominent breeding ground for misinformation regarding COVID-19 and is cracking down and removing similar posts. Twitter offered a similar sentiment stating that the video violates its coronavirus misinformation policy. YouTube, a major contributor to the comeuppance of the viral video, elaborated a bit more on their decision to remove the video from its site. A spokesperson for the website explained, ″From the very beginning of the pandemic, we’ve had clear policies against COVID-19 misinformation and are committed to continue providing timely and helpful information at this critical time." While YouTube usually leans toward the of free speech as long as it's not hateful, the video was removed because it proclaims a cure for COVID-19 which is undoubtedly not true.
Source: CNBC