EU urges stronger action against online Covid vaccine disinformation
Google laptop - Photo Pixabay
(BRUSSELS) - Google, Facebook, Microsoft, TikTok and Twitter continue to improve efforts against coronavirus disinformation under an EU code of practice, but more effort is needed, an EU survey reported Thursday.
"The efforts of the signatories to support vaccination campaigns in the EU are crucial as the spread of Omicron poses significant challenges," said EC vice-president Vera Jourova, adding that there was still margin for improvement: "The next batch will come in March, by this time signatories should have delivered the new strengthened Code that I expect will tackle the existing weaknesses, including by treating all languages in a rigorous way."
TikTok reported that videos with a vaccine tag applied on its channels in Europe tripled from 90,000 in October to 266,000 in December.
Google has updated the search information panels on COVID-19 vaccination available in all 27 countries and starts including information related to paediatric vaccination.
Facebook removed a disinformation and harassment network targeted at medical professionals, journalists and elected officials managed by an anti-vaccination conspiracy movement.
Microsoft has allowed some vaccine advertising from public authorities under its updated policies, which generated about 733,000 impressions in the EU between November and December.
Twitter reported on design updates to labels for misleading tweets related to COVID and vaccines, to make them easier to spot.
Fighting COVID-19 Disinformation - Reports on November and December actions
Discussions to strengthen the Code of Practice are ongoing.