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In the United States, thousands of people are dying every day from COVID-19. People are flocking to social media for news and information on testing, mutual aid and how to stay safe— but opportunists are giving them dangerous disinformation instead.

Disinformation on COVID-19 is deadly. That’s why we’re calling on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to stop the spread of hate and disinformation on their platforms. Join us. [link removed]

The World Health Organization has warned of a coronavirus “infodemic” — disinformation infecting the entire media ecosystem and counteracting the hard work of healthcare workers and others who are trying to keep us safe. On the internet, conspiracy theorists, white supremacists and fraudsters are exploiting fear and chaos to drive their agendas, recruit for their horrific causes and make a buck. And all of this is happening in a moment when people desperately need accurate information to take care of their families and communities.

The increase in disinformation about COVID-19 has also led to an increase in hate: The rise in anti-Asian racism has resulted in hate crimes offline as well as harassment on social media. White supremacists are now using fear around the pandemic as a recruiting opportunity. Violent white nationalists are using online forums to discuss “weaponizing” the virus with spray bottles. And all of this is happening alongside the spread of unproven and often toxic treatments for COVID-19.

Online platforms have the power to stop the spread of these dangerous lies and have a responsibility to protect their users. Tell Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to save lives by doing everything they can to shut down hate and disinformation now. [link removed]

Disinformation and bigotry are deadly for people of color and religious minorities even in the “best” of times. During this pandemic, they’re deadly for everyone. Our society is heavily influenced by what we absorb online, and we need to ensure that disinformation gets identified and immediately removed from the social-media platforms that so many people turn to for their news.

We need safe, accurate information to stop the pandemic. And social-media companies need to invest deeply in the resources it will take to stop the hate and disinformation.

Please take action now to demand that Facebook, Twitter and YouTube stop hate and disinformation about COVID-19. [link removed]

Thank you for everything you’re doing to help ensure that everyone can access trustworthy, lifesaving information during this pandemic and beyond.

In solidarity,

Lucia and the rest of the Free Press team
freepress.net

P.S. Hate and disinformation about COVID-19 are jeopardizing public safety and increasing violence toward Asian Americans and other communities of color. Sign our petition telling Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to stop the spread of hate and disinformation online now. [link removed]