12 state AGs pen letter to Facebook, Twitter urging removal of anti-vaxxers

A group of 12 state attorneys general sent a letter March 24 to the CEOs of Facebook and Twitter, urging the companies to purge their social media platforms of misinformation spread by users that share anti-vaccine content.

Digital media research groups estimated that 12 "anti-vaxxers" personal accounts as of March 10 have accounted for 65 percent of the public anti-vaccine content on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, the state attorneys general wrote.

"Given 'anti-vaxxers'' reliance on your platforms, you are uniquely positioned to prevent the spread of misinformation about coronavirus vaccines that poses a direct threat to the health and safety of millions of Americans in our states and that will prolong our road to recovery," the group wrote.

In a statement shared with CNBC March 24, a Facebook spokesperson said the platform has taken down more than 2 million pieces of misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines since February and is "now rolling out labels to any post that discusses vaccines."

Here are the 12 state AGs who signed the letter:

  • Kathleen Jennings (Delaware)
  • Tom Miller (Iowa)
  • Maura Healy (Massachusetts)
  • Dana Nessel (Michigan)
  • Keith Ellison (Minnesota)
  • Letta James (New York)
  • Joshua Stein (North Carolina)
  • Ellen Rosenblum (Oregon)
  • Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania)
  • Peter Neronha (Rhode Island)
  • Mark Herring (Virginia)
 

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