Facebook to ban coronavirus ads that promise a ‘cure’

Facebook has increased restrictions on advertisements on its platform that reference the coronavirus in an effort to limit the spread of misinformation about the virus.

The social media giant said Wednesday it will ban ads that reference alleged cures or create a sense of urgency around the situation.

“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,” a company spokesperson told Business Insider.

“We also have policies for surfaces like Marketplace that prohibit similar behavior.”

The Hill has reached out to Facebook for further details on the policy change.

As of Wednesday, the total number of coronavirus cases around the world had reached about 81,000, with more than 2,700 deaths reported.

As the disease has spread, social media companies have faced increasing pressure to stem misinformation about the virus.

Facebook in January said it would remove “false claims or conspiracy theories” about coronavirus and provide users with accurate information from trusted sources.

The company employs third-party fact checkers to review content, some of which are experts on health-related issues.

Other platforms have taken similar steps to address coronavirus misinformation, removing conspiracy content and promoting content from health authorities.