Twitter has spent years trying to combat health misinformation. Will Musk’s takeover make that harder?
In the years since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, many health-care professionals have turned to Twitter as a way to share news and advice about public health. But Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, which closed last week, is raising concerns that the self-described “free speech absolutist” could change the social-media platform in ways that promote, rather than curb, the spread of mis- and disinformation.
Back in April, World Health Organization official Mike Ryan warned about the dangers of misinformation in the wake of Musk’s Twitter deal. More recently, Food and Drug Administration commissioner Robert Califf condemned a surge of “divisive and hateful language” on Twitter but vowed to remain on the platform in an effort to protect public health, while cardiologist Eric Topol also said it was important for medical professionals to remain on Twitter to share facts and counter disinformation.
