After censoring users for promoting the COVID-19 lab leak theory, Facebook has removed ‘origin language’ from its list of misleading claims.
Facebook is walking back its censorship of users who promote the theory that the COVID-19 virus originated in a Wuhan, China, lab as the concept picks up steam around the country. According to Politico, a Facebook representative said the tech giant pulled the “origin language” from its list of “misleading health claims” on Wednesday following resurging skepticism surrounding the virus’ origin. “In light of ongoing investigations into the origin of COVID-19 and in consultation with public health experts, we will no longer remove the claim that COVID-19 is man-made from our apps,” the representative said. “We’re continuing to work with health experts to keep pace with the evolving nature of the pandemic and regularly update our policies as new facts and trends emerge.” The “policy tweak” also comes after a Wall Street Journal report this week that said three scientists at the highly suspect Wuhan Virology Institute were hospitalized with COVID-like symptoms in late 2019. For over a year, any notion that the virus’ origins were suspicious was dismissed as conspiratorial fodder.
