Coronavirus: Facebook reverses ban on posts claiming Covid-19 came from Chinese lab
- The decision follows Biden’s call for a further probe into theories about the virus’ origins, including the possibility it was released from a facility in Wuhan
- Facebook had said in February that it would remove false or debunked claims about the novel coronavirus
Facebook has reversed its policy banning posts suggesting Covid-19 emerged from a laboratory amid renewed debate over the origins of the virus, raising fresh questions about social media’s role in policing misinformation.
The latest move by Facebook, announced late Wednesday on its website, highlights the challenge for the world’s largest social network of rooting out false and potentially harmful content while remaining open for discourse.
“In light of ongoing investigations into the origin of Covid-19 and in consultation with public health experts, we will no longer remove the claim that Covid-19 is man-made or manufactured from our apps,” the statement said.
“We’re continuing to work with health experts to keep pace with the evolving nature of the pandemic and regularly update our policies as new facts and trends emerge.”
02:20
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The new statement updates guidance from Facebook in February when it said it would remove false or debunked claims about the novel coronavirus which created a global pandemic killing more than three million.