Twitter to ban tweets that could help spread coronavirus

Twitter is also building systems that enable them to enforce rules remotely around the world

With the coronavirus pandemic spreading far and wide, social media platforms are frequently updating rules and regulations to stop misinformation.

Twitter recently updated its safety policy to prohibit tweets that “could place people at a higher risk of transmitting COVID-19.”



“We’re expanding our safety rules to include content  that could place people at a higher risk of transmitting COVID-19,” Twitter said in a statement.

Twitter now requires that people 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

https://twitter.com/TwitterSafety/status/1240418439870607361

The list includes ‘specific and unverified claims that incite people to action and cause widespread panic, social unrest or large-scale disorder, such as “The National Guard just announced that no more shipments of food will be arriving for 2 months - run to the grocery store ASAP and buy everything!”’ Twiiter wrote on its blog.



The platform is also building systems that enable them to enforce rules remotely around the world. “We’re also increasing our employee assistance and wellness support for everyone involved in this critical work, and ensuring people’s privacy and security stay a top priority.”