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When you search for “Smith” on YouTube, you’ll find a prominent figure known for spreading COVID-19 misinformation. With 394K subscribers, this individual has become a leading voice in anti-vaccine rhetoric. His channel features a video titled, “Introducing My New Book, The Truth About COVID-19.” Spoiler alert: by “truth,” he refers to a baseless conspiracy theory concocted from misinformation and a misguided disdain for public health initiatives.
In his promotional video, he asserts that “technocratic powers are manipulating the pandemic narrative” while showcasing a COVID-19 vaccine. As the death toll rises, he insinuates that tracking technology is being deployed — a thinly veiled reference to vaccine microchips. He asks viewers to “Join the fight for the future,” while showing people discarding their masks.
While he never explicitly states that the pandemic is fabricated or that masks should be abandoned, his messaging is designed to evade YouTube’s COVID-19 Medical Misinformation Policy. Yet, it clearly promotes ideas that contradict those guidelines. Shouldn’t this be subject to some form of enforcement? Surprisingly, it isn’t.
His promotional video features a positive Amazon review that claims he reveals the “true facts” behind the so-called PLANdemic. Although he skirts violations, YouTube’s recommendations led me to other questionable content, like “Vitamin D and COVID-19: Evidence for Prevention and Treatment.” This video, featuring a legitimate medical professional, incorrectly implies that Vitamin D can prevent or cure COVID-19 infections — all while remaining compliant with YouTube’s policies.
Meanwhile, videos promoting Zinc as a COVID-19 treatment also evade restrictions, as they don’t outright claim it cures the virus. But this misleading information is far from harmless.
The Role of Algorithms
Social media networks like Facebook and YouTube are not just passive platforms; their algorithms actively promote vaccine misinformation, contributing to a dangerous health crisis. These algorithms create echo chambers that enable the spread of anti-vaccine sentiment, which can have dire consequences during a pandemic.
For example, after watching one video, I was directed to another that recommended Ivermectin — an anti-parasitic primarily used for animals — as a COVID-19 treatment. Despite explicit disclaimers that should guide viewers to seek advice from medical professionals, these videos continue to mislead audiences, particularly vulnerable individuals.
Then came additional videos suggesting Ivermectin while cleverly avoiding outright violations of community guidelines, such as claiming children are not at risk from COVID-19. This clever evasion shows a clear need for a review of community guidelines.
Facebook and COVID-19 Misinformation
Avaaz, an advocacy group, conducted an experiment revealing how inadequately Facebook’s algorithm handles anti-vaccine content. They found that just two accounts were recommended 109 anti-vaccine pages in a mere two days. Facebook claims to have removed millions of pieces of COVID-19 misinformation, but the reality is that their systems are clearly failing to address the issue.
When I searched for “COVID vaccine,” the algorithm suggested “#covidvaccinesideeffects,” leading me down a rabbit hole of misleading posts that violate Facebook’s policies against misinformation.
The Challenges of Shielded Misinformation
Anti-vaccine groups are crafty. One Facebook group, for instance, disguised itself as “Dance Party” while promoting anti-vaccine sentiments under code names. Similarly, individuals have manipulated visual content to evade detection by obscuring terms like “COVID” and “vaccine.”
The Call for New Guidelines
Both YouTube and Facebook need urgent reforms to their misinformation policies. It’s not just about enforcement; it’s about fundamentally rethinking how these platforms operate. We should report misleading content whenever we encounter it.
However, the responsibility also lies with the platforms to refine their algorithms. Why, after searching for “COVID vaccine,” would I be recommended “#covidvaccinesideeffects”? These algorithms create misinformation traps that can mislead anyone.
Both platforms must take immediate action to stop the spread of COVID-19 misinformation before it leads to more preventable deaths.