As initial COVID-19 immunizations commence, Twitter is increasing its actions to suppress false narratives that could deter individuals from vaccination.

These broadened guidelines encompass disproven assertions regarding negative reactions to vaccination, deceptive posts suggesting the vaccine is unnecessary, and theories alleging COVID-19 vaccines are utilized to “deliberately inflict damage or exert control over communities.” Twitter’s revised regulations will take effect on December 21st.

Twitter will mandate that users remove any posts falling into these categories before they can resume tweeting. For vaccine misinformation that doesn't warrant removal, Twitter will start attaching warning notices to “unconfirmed reports, contested assertions, and also partial or decontextualized details concerning vaccines” starting in early 2021. Such posts could also be suppressed, have reduced reach, and be displayed with labels containing public health guidance.

The organization stated it will focus on eliminating misinformation posing the most significant risk, and we have inquired with Twitter whether this determination is based on a tweet’s visibility or the nature of its content. The new policies will be implemented using a combination of automated systems and human review.

In the early stages of the pandemic, Twitter established a new series of content guidelines specifically addressing COVID-19 misinformation, which was rapidly spreading. While inaccurate and potentially dangerous information about viral transmission was the primary concern at that time, the company’s updated policy will now address anxieties that online misinformation could cause a substantial segment of the population to decline vaccination.

Establishing detailed misinformation policies is beneficial for future application, but new rules are ineffective without consistent enforcement. We will continue to monitor misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine as it becomes more accessible and observe how Twitter carries out its latest attempt to limit the spread of conspiracy theories on its platform.