Twitter rescinds its COVID-19 misinformation policy

Twitter has gone back on its initiative to combat misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Throughout the pandemic, there has been a consistent issue with misinformation on social media. It’s why back in 2020, Twitter established an initiative to combat the spread of misleading information surrounding the COVID-19 virus on its platform. Now under new leadership, Twitter has seen changes in a lot of its operations, including this one. Twitter has confirmed that it is no longer enforcing its COVID-19 misinformation policy.

Twitter made an update to its Coronavirus safety page earlier today, as spotted by Reuters. The page features details about the virus as well as credible sources for information in the fight against it. It’s also where Twitter previously shared its own plans to fight against pandemic misinformation on the social media platform. However, the company will no longer do that. At the top of the page is now an update that reveals Twitter is rescinding that policy. “Effective November 23, 2022, Twitter is no longer enforcing the COVID-19 misleading information policy.”

A flipped view of the Twitter logo printed on glass in an office.

This move comes not long after Elon Musk took over as CEO of the social media company. The billionaire has looked to change a lot about the way Twitter operates, and the company’s COVID-19 misinformation policy is apparently not a part of that vision. He’s spoken on many occasions about his desire to promote free speech on Twitter, regardless of whether the information is factual.

With Twitter Blue creating an impersonation crisis on Twitter, the axing of the COVID-19 policy likely won’t help the increase in misinformation being spread on the platform. It’s also worth keeping in mind that Twitter has let a large portion of its workforce go since the Musk takeover, many of those employees being part of the content moderation team. Stick with Shacknews as we continue to follow everything going on at Twitter.

News Editor

Donovan is a journalist from Maryland. His oldest gaming memory is playing Pajama Sam on his mom's desktop during weekends. Pokémon Emerald, Halo 2, and the original Star Wars Battlefront 2 were some of the most influential titles in awakening his love for video games. After interning for Shacknews throughout college, Donovan graduated from Bowie State University in 2020 with a major in broadcast journalism and joined the team full-time. He is a huge film fanatic and will talk with you about movies and games all day. You can follow him on twitter @Donimals_

From The Chatty
  • reply
    November 29, 2022 8:50 AM

    Donovan Erskine posted a new article, Twitter rescinds its COVID-19 misinformation policy

    • reply
      November 29, 2022 9:10 AM

      What a shit stain.

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      November 29, 2022 4:02 PM

      rescinding the policy is not too different to deliberately spreading misinformation. it would be hard to argue that this decision won't lead to deaths. there must be some point where spreading of misinformation that causes harm can actually get you into legal trouble.

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      November 29, 2022 4:03 PM

      Covid is over doesn't matter

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        November 29, 2022 5:03 PM

        meanwhile diamond of diamond and silk might be currently dying of it as i type

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        November 29, 2022 6:44 PM

        Being aware of the variants and long-tail of COVID is important. For those that have weakened immuned systems, even if they are triply boosted, masking up against if there's elevated levels of COVID makes sense.

        It's why its considere endemic - we're going to live with it for years to come, though by now will not have the mortality rates of the initial outbreak.

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          November 29, 2022 6:44 PM

          And because with the Twitter policy on misinformation nixxed, that's giving free reign to bad science on the platform for those still looking for COVID info.

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        November 29, 2022 7:04 PM

        mama most definitely raised two fools

    • reply
      November 29, 2022 4:24 PM

      Great, cool, alright. COVID is actually just heartburn, turns out.

      • reply
        November 29, 2022 4:52 PM

        Nuh uh. It’s the vaccine takers that spread it. Everybody knows it.

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