Jump to content Subscribe (BUTTON) Login (BUTTON) (BUTTON) (BUTTON) Subscribe (BUTTON) Login (BUTTON) * News + UK + World + US + UK Politics + Brexit + Tech + Science + Education + Health + Business + InFact * Independent TV * Climate + SGI + COP26 + Climate News + Climate Voices + Climate Life + InFact Climate * Sport + Football + Formula 1 + Boxing + Rugby Union + Cricket + MMA * Voices + Stop the Illegal Wildlife Trade + Editorials + Letters + Shaparak Khorsandi + Mary Dejevsky + Mark Steel + Janet Street-Porter + John Rentoul + Sean O’Grady + Tom Peck * Culture + Film + Music + TV & Radio + Books + Art + Photography + Theatre & Dance + Streaming Hub + Games + Geoffrey Macnab + Clarisse Loughrey + Ed Cumming + Crosswords & puzzles * Premium + John Rentoul + Mary Dejevsky + Hamish McRae + Andrew Grice + Marie Le Conte * indy/life + Travel + Women + Fashion & beauty + Food & Drink + Dating & relationships + Health & fitness + Royal Family + Tech + Money + Design & home + Motoring * IndyBest + Home & garden + Kids + Books + Travel & outdoors + Fashion & Beauty + Food & Drink + Tech + Sports & Fitness + Competitions + Deals + Compare + Christmas + Boxing Day Sales * indy100 * My Independent + Most commented + Ask Me Anything + Virtual Events + Newsletters + Competitions * Vouchers + Samsung + Very + MADE + Oliver Bonas + eBay + TUI + Nike + ASOS + Footasylum + Size + AO.com + Gousto + Vodafone + Gym King + Audible + Cyber Week * Compare + Best Broadband Deals + BT Broadband Deals + Virgin Media Broadband Deals + NOW Broadband Deals + All Broadband Providers + Mobile phone deals + SIM Only Deals + iPhone Deals + Best UK Mobile Networks (BUTTON) (BUTTON) (BUTTON) (BUTTON) * UK Edition * US Edition * Asia Edition * Edición en Español {{#items}} * {{#edition}}{{/edition}}{{title}}{{#children}} {{/children}} {{#children}} {{{children}}} {{/children}} {{/items}} NewsUKHome News Coronavirus: Social media firms make $1bn a year from anti-vax followers, report says Poll finds that almost one in five British adults now say they would refuse a Covid-19 vaccine Lizzie Dearden Home Affairs Correspondent Tuesday 07 July 2020 11:57 [spinner_on_black.gif] Comments (BUTTON) (BUTTON) Article bookmarked Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile [ ] Don't show me this message again ✕ ✕ Close Dr Fauci warns many Americans may refuse to take coronavirus vaccine Social media platforms are making up to $1bn a year from people following anti-vaccine misinformation that could cause “tens of thousands” of coronavirus deaths, researchers say. The Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) said the number of people viewing pages and posts claiming that a Covid-19 vaccine is unnecessary or would pose a health risk had risen dramatically during the pandemic. Despite pledges by Facebook and others to crack down on harmful posts, a report found that at least 57 million users now follow anti-vaxxers on mainstream platforms across the UK and US – up 7.7 million since the start of the outbreak. A YouGov poll suggested that almost one in five British adults say they would refuse the injection if it becomes available, and a further 15 per cent are unsure. The research suggested that people who use social media more than mainstream news outlets as a source of information are more likely to reject a coronavirus vaccine. Recommended * Warning over coronavirus disinformation as extremists exploit crisis * Covid-19 conspiracies must be taken seriously, warns extremism chief * Inside the UK’s biggest anti-lockdown protest * Only one in 10 coronavirus misinformation posts taken down – report * The battle with coronavirus misinformation is only just starting “If 31 per cent of people do not take the vaccine we will not achieve herd immunity,” Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the CCDH, told The Independent. “If we don’t reach that we will not be able to contain the virus. We will have waves and waves of years and years and tens of thousands of people will die.” Estimates of the proportion of people who must be immunised to coronavirus, either by prior infection or vaccination, for herd immunity to take effect vary between 55 per cent and 82 per cent. High vaccine coverage has largely eliminated many potentially fatal diseases from the UK, but some – like measles – have seen a resurgence when uptake has fallen. Studies have linked the trend to activism by online anti-vaxxers, who oppose immunisation because they believe it is either unnecessary, risky or harmful. Mr Ahmed said social media firms had “both powered and profited from” the spread of anti-vax theories, by amplifying them through algorithms and making money from advertising. “It’s an ideological dirty bomb that will spread toxic misinformation throughout a population,” he added. “If social media companies do not react in the right way, the government needs to take action.” Conspiracy theorists at Hyde Park Corner on 16 May 2020 in London (Getty) The report called for firms to be fined if they fail to combat anti-vaxxers, but a new regulatory system proposed under the UK’s Online Harms Bill has not yet been considered by parliament. The CCDH said that changing medical advice during the coronavirus pandemic had provided the group an “opportunity to exploit” by seeking to discredit official health bodies. Its analysis of more than 400 anti-vax Facebook groups and pages, YouTube channels and Twitter and Instagram accounts found that some were selling fake cures for coronavirus and telling people not to seek medical treatment for symptoms. Recommended * Almost half of Britons believe coronavirus is ‘man-made’, poll finds Private Facebook groups were found to be “radicalising sceptics into determined anti-vaxxers” by spreading emotional posts about supposedly ill or cured children without challenge. The CCDH documented one case where a mother said she feared her two-year-old daughter, with a fever and cough, had coronavirus but was told by members to put lemon and onions on the child’s body rather than going to a doctor. Other pages were selling substances they claimed would cure or prevent coronavirus, including silver, hormones and plant extracts. Some anti-vaxxers have moved into wider conspiracy theories, including those claiming that Microsoft founder Bill Gates created the pandemic, that vaccines cause Covid-19, and that tests for a coronavirus jab had made women infertile. Mr Ahmed said that the coronavirus outbreak had created a “perfect storm” for people to be drawn into anti-vax movements, as fear and confusion combined with increased isolation and time spent online. “There are some new groups springing up and there are more people coming into those spaces,” he added. “We also know that existing groups are very opportunistic and will pick up on any opportunity to draw people into their radical worldview.” 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Show all 15 1/15'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US (BUTTON) 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Protesters form a motorcade against lockdown orders outside the State House in Annapolis, Maryland on 18 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US People take part in a protest for "Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine" outside the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing on 15 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Alex Jones, host of conspiracy theory outlet Infowars, joins the 'Reopen America' protest against lockdown measures in Austin Texas on 18 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US A group of protesters rally against lockdown orders outside the Virginia State Capitol building in Richmond on 16 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US A protester holds a sign comparing Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer to a Nazi during a demonstration at the State Capitol in Lansing over coronavirus lockdown measures AP 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US A 2020 Trump Unity sign is displayed during a protest against coronavirus lockdown measures at the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan AP 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Anti-lockdown protesters drive by the Ohio State House in Columbus on 18 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Protesters form a motorcade in opposition to state lockdown measures outside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on 15 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US A protester takes part in a rally outside the Ohio State House in Columbus on 18 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US People take part in a protest for "Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine" outside the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing on 15 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Protesters form part of a motorcade in opposition to state lockdown measures outside the North Carolina State Legislature in Raleigh on 14 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Protesters rally against lockdown measures outside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on 15 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Protesters form a motorcade in opposition to state lockdown measures around the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on 15 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Police urge people to spread out during a protest against lockdown measures outside the Virginia State Capitol building in Richmond on 16 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US An armed protester taking part in a demonstration against coronavirus lockdown measures outside the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan EPA (BUTTON) The report found that both anti-vax campaigners and social media companies were profiting from increased interest during coronavirus. It said that through all their online activity, the followers of anti-vax accounts could be worth up to $1bn (£800m) in annual revenue for technology giants. Researchers found that Facebook and Instagram get up to $989m (£792m) in revenue, Twitter $5.6m (£4.5m) and YouTube $797,000 (£634,000). The report said that Facebook’s advertising library also showed that at least 28 anti-vax accounts had paid to place adverts on the platform, despite the firm pledging in March 2019 that “when we find ads that include misinformation about vaccinations, we will reject them”. YouTube has removed advertising from some anti-vax channels but not all, the report said, after it vowed to demonetise them in February last year. Researchers found that Twitter’s advertising platform made it possible to target users with anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. The report accused social media giants had adopted “lenient” policies by making it harder to find anti-vax content rather than by removing it, and allowing activists to “successfully navigate weak policies to exploit the new opportunities coronavirus has presented”. Mr Ahmed said that long-standing anti-vax campaigners had “instrumentalised” the prospect of a Covid-19 vaccine after trying to claim that track and trace schemes were a cover for secretive monitoring. The various coronavirus vaccines under development may ultimately not include a successful candidate (Reuters) “There are lots of decent, well-meaning people who fall for conspiracy theories because they’re scared and confused, just as so many of us are,” he added. “But I would go beyond calling anti-vaxxers conspiracy theorists to say they are an extremist group that pose a national security risk.” Mr Ahmed said the movement “transcended left and right-wing boundaries” but warned: “Once someone has been exposed to one type of conspiracy it’s easy to lead them down a path where they embrace more radical world views that can lead to violent extremism.” A Facebook spokesperson said: “We are working to stop harmful misinformation from spreading on our platforms and have removed hundreds of thousands of pieces of Covid-19-related misinformation. “We reduce vaccine misinformation in News Feed, we don’t show it in search results or recommend it on Facebook or Instagram, we don’t allow it in ads, and we connect people with authoritative information from recognised health experts.” A spokesperson for Twitter said anyone searching for vaccine-related information is directed to the NHS and its advertising policy forbade misleading medical claims. It added: “Twitter’s top priority is protecting the health of the public conversation and surfacing authoritative public health information.” YouTube said all six channels featured in the report had now been demonetised. “We've taken a number of steps to address misinformation including surfacing more authoritative content across our site for people searching for vaccination-related topics, beginning to reduce recommendations of certain anti-vaccination videos and showing information panels with more sources where they can fact check information for themselves," a statement added. A government spokesperson said: “Since the start of the pandemic, specialist government units have been working at pace to identify and rebut false information about coronavirus. We are also working closely with social media platforms to help them remove incorrect claims about the virus that could endanger people’s health. “We are developing our world-leading plans to put a duty of care on online platforms towards their users and will introduce legislation as soon as possible.” Register for free to continue reading Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists ____________________Email Please enter a valid email Please enter a valid email ____________________Password Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number ____________________First name Please enter your first name Special characters aren’t allowed Please enter a name between 1 and 40 characters ____________________Last name Please enter your last name Special characters aren’t allowed Please enter a name between 1 and 40 characters [Select your year of birth] You must be over 18 years old to register You must be over 18 years old to register Year of birth [ ] I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. 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More about CoronavirusFacebookVaccinesanti-vaxxersanti-vaxxerInstagramTwitterYouTu bemisinformation Join our new commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies [spinner_on_white.gif] Comments 1/3Social media firms ‘make $1bn a year from anti-vax followers’ (BUTTON) Social media firms ‘make $1bn a year from anti-vax followers’ Poll finds that almost one in five British adults now say they would refuse a Covid-19 vaccine Social media firms ‘make $1bn a year from anti-vax followers’ Conspiracy theorists at Hyde Park Corner on 16 May 2020 in London Getty Social media firms ‘make $1bn a year from anti-vax followers’ The various coronavirus vaccines under development may ultimately not include a successful candidate Reuters (BUTTON) (BUTTON) ✕ Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? 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