Facebook start working with govt to improve info on COVID-19
KARACHI -
We’re working to keep Pakistanis and everyone globally safe from covid-19 and
informed about the recent outbreak of Coronavirus. Four areas we’re focused on
making sure everyone has accurate information and stopping misinformation and
harmful content supporting health experts and relief efforts, and supporting
local government authorities communities and businesses.
Facebook
is working with the Pakistani government communities, and businesses both large
and small, to amplify the power of digital technology to navigate this
challenging time. Here is an overview of our work and shortcuts to more
information about COVID-19. We will continue to share updates as we get them.
Make sure everyone has accurate
information about COVID-19
Anyone
who will search for the information related to the COVID-19 on Facebook and Instagram shown educational pop-ups on top of search results connecting them to health
authority and HO including the World Health Organization
(WHO).
In
Pakistan we are working with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations
& Coordination (MNHSRC) and World Health Organizations (WHO)
and (UNICEF) to provide accurate information about COVID-19. Anyone who
searches for information related to the virus on Facebook or Instagram will be
shown educational pop-ups on top of search results connecting them to expert’s health
organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO) and
the NHSRC.
Over the past month, we notified millions of people on their News Feed
with posts directing them to local health authorities on Facebook.
More recently Facebook launched (COVID-19) Information Center on the platform to act as a central hub for people to find information and resources from trusted health authorities such as NHSRC.
Stopping misinformation and harmful content about COVID-19
Globally and also in Pakistan our
third-party fact-checkers are continuing their work reviewing content and
debunking false claims that are spreading related to the COVID-19. When
they rate information as false we limit its spread on Facebook and Instagram
and show people accurate information from these partners. We also send
notifications to people who already shared or are trying to share this content
to alert them that this is just wrong information.
We
will also start to remove content with false claims or conspiracy theories that
have been flagged global health organizations and local health authorities that
could cause harm to people who believe them.
Globally
and in Pakistan we temporarily banned advertisements and commerce listings like
those on Marketplace that sell medical masks and other medical supplies. We
already prohibit people from making health or medical claims related to the COVID-19
in product listings on commerce surfaces including those listings that
guarantee a product will prevent someone from contracting it. We also have a
dedicated channel for local governments to share listings they believe violate
local laws. Our teams monitoring the COVID-19 situation carefully and will
make necessary updates to our policies if we see people trying to exploit this
public health emergency.
