Australian data reveals thousands of Covid QAnon conspiracies spreading online

New data shows there are thousands of Covid conspiracies spreading online, including QAnon quackery.

The Federal government is working to uproot thousands of “harmful” pandemic conspiracy theories including QAnon quackery - but the tech companies have often refused to act, exclusive data shows.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Department of Home Affairs has identified 2002 instances of misinformation since March 2020 and the end of July this year.

The government says the misinformation is “harmful” because it “undermines” government messaging on the virus, vaccines, restrictions and quarantine.

QAnon followers’ deranged beliefs include that a paedophile cabal is running the world and the pandemic is a hoax. Picture: Kyle Grillot / AFP

Last week frontline health responders told The Daily Telegraph their own loved ones were turning on them after being convinced of the online cult of QAnon and related conspiracies.

QAnon followers have signed on to a deranged series of beliefs including that a paedophile cabal is running the world and the pandemic is a hoax.

Since then more people from across NSW have come forward with stories of siblings, parents and friends lost to the unfounded conspiracy.

One person told The Daily Telegraph their father refused to complete the census because the “corrupt government was keeping tabs on him” but continues to collect unemployment benefits on the Central Coast.

Another said not a single person in her family or group of friends would get the vaccine because misinformation had spread through the Shire, where they live.

“Disinformation about COVID-19 should be rejected by everyone, as it puts our families and communities at risk,” Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said.

“Unfortunately social media can be a particularly effective tool in the manipulation of information.”

The department referred the misinformation to social media giants including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Google and Tik Tok.

Of the 2002 reported instances of misinformation 1,221 were removed or the accounts banned.

Another 117 resulted in a warning while 664 resulted in no action.

Social media companies have been notoriously slow to act on the spread of misinformation.

It was only last year that QAnon was formally purged from Facebook and Twitter.

By then it had helped foment the insurrection in the US Capitol and spread across the world.

Last week an American QAnon believer allegedly spear gunned his children to death believing they would destroy the world.

In Australia the conspiracy movement remains quietly active on Twitter and flourishes loudly on Facebook groups and in encrypted chats where followers cast doubt on the very existence of Covid.

Minister Andrews said the government would continue to actively counter their efforts by ensuring accurate and authoritative information is available and accessible in many languages.

“I encourage everyone to get their information about COVID-19 from official, reputable sources, and be sceptical of what they may see or hear online,” she said.