Facebook commits to banning coronavirus 'cure' ads

Facebook confirmed its interest in banning such ads to Business Insider today, saying:We recently implemented a policy to prohibit ads that refer to the coronavirus and create a sense of urgency, like implying a limited supply, or guaranteeing a cure or prevention. Google also launched an SOS alert for the coronavirus, which arranges the search results to share news stories and sources from health organizations.[Read: Social media conspiracies blame coronavirus on 5G internet]Last month, Facebook said it would remove “content with false claims or conspiracy theories that have been flagged by leading global health organizations and local health authorities that could cause harm to people who believe them.” This would include “claims related to false cures or prevention methods — like drinking bleach cures the coronavirus — or claims that create confusion about health resources that are available.”Given that fears of infection are starting to result in greater public upset and major tech gatherings — like MWC and, most recently, GDC — becoming ghost towns, this feels more important now than it did last month.