SNP MP Stewart McDonald has today written to the chief executives of leading social media companies to step up efforts to identify and robustly tackle disinformation regarding COVID-19.
In a letter to Twitter, Facebook and Google, the MP for Glasgow South called on the companies to enable better reporting mechanisms for users, as well as guidance for the public to help better identify misinformation and disinformation regarding the coronavirus.
Commenting, Stewart McDonald MP (pictured) said:
“Social media platforms are crucial in ensuring the flow of public health guidance – which is often changing rapidly – and making sure people are as up to date as possible.
“I have written to the chief executives of Twitter, Facebook and Google, calling on them to enable better reporting mechanisms for users, as well as simple guidance for the public to help better identify misinformation and disinformation.
“It is vital that social media companies make sure during this coronavirus crisis that their platforms are not weaponised to spread false information, which could endanger lives or cause panic and alarm.”
