Instagram is working to remove or block posts spreading misinformation about the coronavirus by directing users to the CDC website when users click on a #coronavirus hashtag, reports BuzzFeed News.
“Looking for coronavirus info? See the most up-to-date information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help you stay healthy and help prevent the spread of the virus. Go to cdc.gov.”
Facebook two weeks ago announced plans to combat misinformation about the virus, saying it would conduct “proactive sweeps” to remove or block hashtags spreading misinformation.
"When people ... tap a related hashtag on Instagram, we will surface an educational pop-up with credible information," Facebook said.
Many false posts have been spread on the social media platform concerning coronavirus, which started in China and has killed more than 1,000 people worldwide.
A story about children being abandoned in an airport has spread widely on social media thanks to the website 9Gag, though it has not been confirmed with any sources. Another site published an article stating that FEMA had proposed enacting martial law to contain the coronavirus.
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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