@jsj @taylorlorenz

Agreed. They probably just want to not deal with the flood of misinformation that’s undoubtedly going to come

@actsukrit @jsj @taylorlorenz

Blocking search of those terms won't make a dent in the spread of dis/mis-info (especially given that their algos and easy-system-gaming already allow for it).

Alternative (and most likely) hypothesis:
They are preventing dis/mis info researchers from DOING THE RESEARCH--which relies heavily on search, thus preventing data from being published about how bad the spread of dis/mis-information is on their platforms.

@VirginiaMurr @jsj @taylorlorenz

That’s absurdly conspiratorial.

The far simpler explanation is they neither want to get in trouble for spreading misinformation or invest in dealing with it so they just wash their hands of it altogether.

“never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by neglect, ignorance or incompetence.”

@earthlingusa @jsj @taylorlorenz @VirginiaMurr

Not everything in the universe is driven by a researcher doing a study 🤦‍♂️

“This way they can say they’re not participating in Covid misinfo while not stopping it.” Yes, this is precisely what they’re doing. It’s the lazy negligent method of doing the bare minimum to say they’re doing something. There’s nothing well meaning or altruistic about this.

But it’s not a war against researchers. And it’s conspiratorial to think it is.