Adam Schiff urges tech companies to combat spread of misinformation during pandemic
Rep. Adam Schiff of California sent a letter to several CEOs of major tech companies, urging them to halt the spread of misinformation during the coronavirus pandemic. "Misinformation is dangerous," Schiff tweeted on Thursday. "Misinformation about public health is deadly." The letters, sent to the CEOs of YouTube, Google, and Twitter, requested that they follow the lead of Facebook in displaying messages from the World Health Organization when users come across content that may be inaccurate or deceptive about the threat of COVID-19. Schiff sent a joint letter to Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc., and Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube, and a separate letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. Misinformation, including potentially dangerous advice to users directing them to drink cleaning products or take certain medications to prevent the virus, have rifled social media platforms during the pandemic, prompting tech companies to respond quickly to the spread.
Facebook recently announced it would start showing fact-checked messages to users who've interacted with false information, conspiracy theories, or harmful messages related to the coronavirus. Twitter and Google have taken steps to enhance algorithms that promote credible information from the WHO about the virus. While Schiff credited the tech companies for taking steps to limit the content, he encouraged them to go even further in his letters, requesting guidance for consumers to visit medically accurate resources when coming across videos with inaccurate information. "Despite your best efforts, however, users will continue to see and engage with harmful medical content on your platforms, whether by intentionally seeking it out or otherwise," Schiff wrote. Schiff said the debunked theories linking the virus to 5G cell towers, conspiracies that the virus was engineered, and rhetoric encouraging unsafe methods to combat the virus were among the most harmful to the public.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/adam-schiff-urges-tech-companies-to-combat-spread-of-misinformation-during-pandemic
https://twitter.com/RepAdamSchiff/status/1255902443390599169
@ POTUS, would really open this up!
'Let us in!': Anti-lockdown protesters demand entry to Michigan House floor as lawmakers meet
An anti-lockdown protest in Michigan spilled into the state's Capitol as demonstrators swarmed the building and demanded access to the House floor. On Thursday, hundreds of people gathered in front of the Capitol building in Lansing to protest Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home order as lawmakers reconvened to debate an extension of the coronavirus state of emergency. Many later moved into the building.
"Protest moves inside Michigan Capitol," tweeted Local 4 Business editor Rod Meloni. "Crowd attempts to get onto House floor. Lots of Michigan State Police and House sergeants at arms blocking door." The protesters packed into the lobby of the Michigan State House, and many appeared to not be wearing face masks or adhering to social distancing guidelines.
"You cannot lock us out. This is the people's house," shouted some of the protesters in the video, alongside other phrases such as "let us in" and "you swore an oath," in reference to the Constitution. On Tuesday, the Michigan Senate urged Whitmer to consider easing restrictions on businesses so residents can return to work and elective surgeries can be performed. Lansing has been the site of several mass protests against the quarantine orders as people voice their frustration with Whitmer's decision to shutter nonessential businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/let-us-in-anti-lockdown-protesters-demand-entry-to-michigan-house-floor-as-lawmakers-meet
https://twitter.com/RodMeloni/status/1255901755474403328