Apple, Google ban unofficial coronavirus apps to combat misinformation

Tech giants Apple and Google have banned some apps in a bid to stop the spread of dangerous misinformation about the coronavirus.

Jack Gramenz

less than 2 min read

March 17, 2020 - 9:31PM

Apple and Google have instituted new policies to prevent the spread of misinformation about coronavirus online as fake news continues to create fear, panic and dangerous complacency.

Apple announced on Saturday it would take new measures aimed at “ensuring the credibility of health & safety information” and will block apps not from “recognised entities such as government organisations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions”.

Apple is also closing its stores outside of China for two weeks and will only sell online as part of efforts to fight the global viral pandemic. Picture: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

“Communities around the world are depending on apps to be credible news sources – helping users understand the latest health innovations, find out where they can get help if needed or provide assistance to their neighbours,” Apple said in a statement to developers on its website.

The ban even extends to “entertainment or game” apps that have COVID-19 as a theme.

Meanwhile, Google is directing searches for “coronavirus” and “COVID-19” primarily to government health websites, educational institutions, news sites and the World Health Organisation.

Social media platforms like Facebook are also being used to spread misinformation about the virus, as they have been during elections in the past.

Google is directing searches about coronavirus to government websites and health agencies.

That past misuse of the platform has spurred Facebook to introduce new fact-checking protocols, but the company and its founding CEO Mark Zuckerberg remain committed to not fact checking political advertising.

Earlier this month Facebook said it would take down political advertising if it contained misinformation about the coronavirus, however.

As coronavirus spreads to more parts of the world and the number of cases surges daily, people are falling victim to misinformation about the virus online.

The hoaxes range from the relatively benign misleading of celebrities about quarantined Italians singing on their balconies to the far more dangerous creation of fake letters from the government telling parents to keep their kids home from school.

Please note there is a forged letter circulating on social media purporting to be from myself and the Victorian Minister Mikakos.
— Greg Hunt (@GregHuntMP) March 15, 2020

This is the FAKE letter. Scary as itâ€™s quite a convincing forgery. If anyone you know sees it - itâ€™s a fake https://t.co/xH9ixYxKBc pic.twitter.com/VIq7iNMU88
— ð•¤ð•’ð•žð•’ð•Ÿð•¥ð•™ð•’ ð•žð•’ð•šð••ð•–ð•Ÿ (@samanthamaiden) March 16, 2020