Yesterday, Instagram’s parent company Facebook updated its policies, announcing it would not run ‘social issue, electoral, or political ads’ on its platforms from election day onwards. The decision came as a surprise, as Facebook has previously held a hard line in allowing those kinds of ads. What is still not known is when that ban on ads will be lifted.
There are signs that the leading social platforms are taking misinformation more seriously than in years – and elections – past. Yesterday, Facebook took down a post by President Trump that minimized the impact of COVID-19, noting that it was in conflict with its policy against users spreading information deemed both wrong and harmful.
Google says it is actively testing its Search product to maximize the likelihood that information presented to users is accurate. The company has also developed an ‘Intelligent Desk’ to stay informed on breaking news and determine fact from fiction.
While not officially confirmed, it looks as if Twitter is developing an aptly named new product to combat misinformation, called ‘Birdwatch.’ Details have been uncovered by online sleuths who found clues about Birdwatch in Twitter app code.
A new report notes that both scholars and public health officials have expressed growing alarm over a COVID-19 “misinfodemic” − a parallel epidemic of misinformation. It references the ‘Plandemic’ conspiracy theory as well as QAnon as fueling ‘rising skepticism about scientific facts across many areas of public life’ especially with respect to COVID-19.
A paper published last month in the AIDS Care journal states that persons living with HIV are significantly more likely to die by suicide compared to the general population. The study examined the impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), insomnia, and substance use disorders on people living with HIV.
Phase I of the plan covers the first 5-years, with a goal of 75% of infections being reduced. 57 priority jurisdictions in the U.S. have been identified using data from HIV diagnoses that occurred in 2016 and 2017. Phase II will take a broader approach, with efforts to implement resources across the nation, rather than focusing on specific regions. The Phase II goal is a 90% reduction in cases by 2030. Phase III, is a maintenance period, where ‘intensive case management’ will keep new infections at fewer than 3,000 per year. What is needed is specific detail on how the new initiative will achieve these Phase I, II and III goals.
