Instagram is taking new steps to prevent spreading of misinformation around anti-vaccination and will now block hashtags designed to dissuade people from getting vaccinated, according to The Verge.
"Known vaccine misinformation" refers to those which have been deemed false by the World Health Organisation, the Centre for Disease Control and similar organisations, the company said.
However, the company added that other posts that portray anti-vaccine views but have not been confirmed as false will not be taken down.
Instagram made the announcement at a press event in San Francisco, reported The Verge.
How does Instagram Plan to Eliminate Hoaxes?
Instagram will use machine learning to crackdown the hashtags associated with the posts removed under misinformation policies, it said. Any hashtag with a high proportion of misinformation will be blocked.
However, the company declined to specify the percentage as it could result in manipulation of the system.
Pop-up messages for people searching for vaccine information linking them to credible information on the issue is also in the pipeline, the company said.
Separately, Instagram announced that it is building a tool to appeal content moderation decisions, such as those about anti-vaccination posts
(With inputs from The Verge.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)