Anti-mask Facebook group suspended for spreading coronavirus misinformation

Facebook is, by and large, a wretched hive of misinformation and villainy. Fortunately, it’s just a tiny bit less scummy now, with the site having suspended one of its largest anti-mask groups.

The Verge reports that Facebook group Unmasking America! has been removed for spreading misinformation about COVID-19. Over 9,600 members strong, the group opposed the use of face masks, spread widely debunked myths about the accessories, and loudly advocated for people to completely ignore medical professionals amidst a deadly global pandemic.

“We have clear policies against promoting harmful misinformation about COVID 19 and have removed this group while we review the others,” Facebook spokesperson Dami Oyefeso told Mashable. 

Unmasking America! was removed after The Verge reached out to Facebook for comment on the group. A quick search by Mashable found numerous other anti-mask groups currently remain active on Facebook, such as NO MAS(K) with over 3,400 members and Anti-Maskers with over 1,700. The Verge notes Facebook group Million Unmasked March is still active as well, with almost 8,000 members. What’s more, it’s promoting a rally at which unmasked people will gather in large numbers — exactly what medical professionals are begging people not to do.

Misinformation surrounding the use of face masks has been rife both online and off, with anti-mask campaigners claiming they reduce your oxygen levels and infringe on people’s personal freedoms. Such arguments have been repeatedly, exhaustively countered and debunked by medical experts, yet this dangerous and inaccurate rhetoric continues to circulate.

Despite the rampant spread of misinformation on its platform, Facebook has been reluctant to remove false content altogether unless it may lead to “imminent physical harm.” In an April blog post, the website stated it is instead combating COVID-19 misinformation by having content assessed by fact-checkers and, if found false, “[reducing] its distribution and [showing] warning labels with more context.”

Fortunately, it seems Facebook is at least acknowledging that refusing to wear a mask and encouraging others to do the same may quickly lead to physical harm.

“Examples of misinformation we’ve removed include harmful claims like drinking bleach cures the virus and theories like physical distancing is ineffective in preventing the disease from spreading,” Facebook wrote in April.