In an attempt to fight misinformation about the global coronavirus pandemic, Twitter is expanding its safety rules to include tweets about COVID-19.
One of the biggest challenges for governments and companies has been the spread of misinformation about the virus on social media. Some posts have downplayed the severity, while others have spread false information about home remedies and “cures.”
Twitter has had enough, and is taking measures to stop it:
Update: we’re expanding our safety rules to include content that could place people at a higher risk of transmitting COVID-19.
Now, we will require people to remove Tweets that include the following:
Content that increases the chance that someone contracts or transmits the virus, including:
- Denial of expert guidance
- Encouragement to use fake or ineffective treatments, preventions, and diagnostic techniques
- Misleading content purporting to be from experts or authorities
— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) 3/18/20
Given the criticism the company has faced for not doing enough to combat trolls and online harassment, these latest efforts will likely be a welcome relief to many users.
