YouTube is updating its information panels, which appear when you search for things about COVID-19, to include information on vaccines.
The company launched the panels earlier this year, and as discussions about possible COVID-19 vaccines are mounting, YouTube wants to direct viewers to reliable sources.
YouTube will now ask users to “learn more about the progress of the vaccine” from trusted sources like the World Health Organization in relevant videos. The new panels are already visible in the United States and will be rolled out worldwide in the coming days.
It’s a good move for YouTube to try to educate people about vaccines, especially since anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists will use the platform to discourage people from getting vaccinated.
However, YouTube has recently come under fire for its inability to control the spread of misinformation lately. For example, it refused to remove videos that spread misinformation about the US elections.
It has taken a slightly more relaxed stance on handling misinformation compared to platforms like Facebook and Twitter, which have been actively removing and tagging false claims. Because of this, it is unclear whether an information panel will be effective enough to combat misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.
Via: The edge
