Disinformation: Europe calls the big names in the online world In the intervention, a direct mention of the topic of vaccines, particularly affected by the scourge of disinformation, with numerous conspiracy theories circulating in the last period. False news and assumptions without any proven basis, the effect of which is destined to be felt in practice: research conducted in Germany shows that the willingness to undergo a vaccination has decreased by 20% among the German population.
These Jourová's words about what has emerged in recent months characterized by the global health crisis that has had a heavy impact on the old continent.
It has shown us how disinformation not only damages the health of our democracies, but also that of our citizens. It can have a negative impact on the economy and jeopardize the response capacity of public authorities as well as weaken health measures.
On the occasion, Jourová also announced that TikTok, controlled by the Chinese ByteDance, has chosen to voluntarily adhere to the code of conduct against fake news which in the last two years has seen the subscription of Facebook, Google, Twitter and Mozilla.
In the words of Borrell instead, the desire to emphasize as the problem does not originate only in the will of those who turn to online platforms to support the conspiracy theories or the cospiracionist, but also to coordinate actions by some states with aims precise, in particular China and Russia .
Source: Reuters