Facebook ends ban on posts claiming COVID-19 is man-made
Facebook had previously insisted the claim had been 'debunked'
Debate over COVID origins rages on after Wuhan lab report
Jimmy Failla, Michael Gordon and Spike Cohen join 'Kennedy' to discuss calls for an investigation into coronavirus origins
Facebook said Wednesday it would no longer ban posts suggesting COVID-19 is man-made amid mounting calls from President Biden and other officials for further investigation into the pandemic’s origins.
The announcement marked a reversal for the social media giant. In February, Facebook said it would remove posts claiming the virus was man-made or manufactured "following consultations with leading health organizations, including the World Health Organization" who had "debunked" the claim.
"In light of ongoing investigations into the origin of COVID-19 and in consultation with public health experts, we will no longer remove the claim that COVID-19 is man-made from our apps," a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement. "We’re continuing to work with health experts to keep pace with the evolving nature of the pandemic and regularly update our policies as new facts and trends emerge."
Politico was first to report on the policy change.
Facebook's rules are 'in shambles, unclear,' says oversight board co-chair
Facebook Oversight Board Co-chair Michael McConnell explains the board's decision to uphold Donald Trump's ban from the platform
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
Public calls for further investigation into the pandemic’s origins intensified in recent days after the Wall Street Journal reported that three researchers at China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology displayed symptoms severe enough to seek hospital treatment. A previous State Department fact sheet noted the researchers had "symptoms consistent with both Covid-19 and common seasonal illness."
In a statement earlier Monday, Biden said he had directed his national security adviser to develop a report on the virus’ origins, including the possibility that it emerged after a laboratory accident, shortly after he became president. Biden said he has called on intelligence officials to present a report on their findings within 90 days.
"The United States will also keep working with like-minded partners around the world to press China to participate in a full, transparent, evidence-based international investigation and to provide access to all relevant data and evidence," Biden said.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Facebook and other social media platforms have faced pressure from both sides of the aisle regarding their COVID-19 content policies. Democratic lawmakers have pressed platforms to crack down on the spread of misinformation, while Republicans have accused the companies of stifling open debate, including discussions on the lab leak theory.