Instagram blocks hashtags with ‘lies about vaccinations’

They want you to see only good info

Starting today, Instagram is hiding search results from hashtags that spread disinformation about vaccination. That makes the photo service announced Thursday, writes The Verge.

Instagram is going to do more to stop the spread of such messages.

“For example, if the hashtag # vaccines1234 contains many messages spreading disinformation about vaccinations, we will block the hashtag,” says Instagram top executive Karina Newton.

In March it already appeared that Facebook and Instagram would no longer allow advertisements in which misleading information about vaccinations is shared. Parent company Facebook was criticized because algorithms made this type of hoax reach a large audience.

Erased messages are analyzed on Instagram to see which hashtags they are provided with. Hashtags that for a “large part” are linked to disinformation are blocked.

The service also wants to display a message for people looking for vaccinations, to point them to quality information on the subject.

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