Facebook, YouTube take down Bolsonaro video over false vaccine claim | Reuters

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro reacts during a ceremony to sanction the bill that create the Federal Regional Court, at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil October 20, 2021. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File PhotoRIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 25 (Reuters) – Facebook (FB.O)and YouTube have removed from their platforms a video by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in which the far-right leader made a false claim that COVID-19 vaccines were linked with developing AIDS.Both Facebook and Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) YouTube said the video, which was recorded on Thursday, violated their policies.”Our policies don’t allow claims that COVID-19 vaccines kill or seriously harm people,” a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.YouTube confirmed that it had taken the same step later in the day.”We removed a video from Jair Bolsonaro’s channel for violating our medical disinformation policy regarding COVID-19 for alleging that vaccines don’t reduce the risk of contracting the disease and that they cause other infectious diseases,” YouTube said in a statement.According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), COVID-19 vaccines approved by health regulators are safe for most people, including those living with HIV, the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, known as AIDS.Bolsonaro’s office did not respond immediately…
Read More