Report: Facebook Still Allowing Anti-Vaccine Content Despite Ban

Facebook was recently applauded when it changed its policies to crack down on the anti-vaccine content that had been spreading like wildfire across its platform. However, according to a report from Buzzfeed News, the social media giant hasn’t exactly eradicated the problem.

Reporters for Buzzfeed conducted a search and easily found ads that explicitly question whether vaccines are effective. However, according to Facebook, this doesn’t violate its new rules. The company’s updated policies only ban content that contains “vaccine misinformation” — a very narrow distinction indeed.

In fact, the company doesn’t seem to want anything to do with the problem at all; under questioning from congress, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said it’s basically fine to post this content as long as you’re only sharing it with people who agree.

“If someone wants to post anti-vaccination content, or if they want to join a group where people are discussing that content, we don’t prevent them from doing that,” Zuckerberg said. “But we don’t go out of our way to make sure our group recommendation systems try to encourage people to join those groups.”

While it’s just one topic, Facebook’s attitude toward medical misinformation is indicative of its larger attitude toward fake news. It will take steps to stop its spread — but it will rarely go far enough.




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