Coronavirus brings anti-vaxxers into the firing line for social media firms

Analysis: Pressure is mounting on tech giants to undertake a crackdown on anti-vaxxers similar to that of Isis and white supremacists, Lizzie Dearden writes

The various coronavirus vaccines under development may ultimately not include a successful candidate (Reuters)

In 2014, it was possible to follow Isis fighters on Facebook and Twitter as the terrorist group waged a bloody campaign to set up its caliphate in Iraq and Syria.

Foreign fighters and “jihadi brides” were able to post photos from Raqqa and Mosul, share propaganda, issue advice on reaching the “Islamic State” and call for attacks around the world.

Amid mounting pressure from international governments, mainstream social media platforms launched a concerted effort to take down their content and ban users sharing it, pushing Isis into increasingly niche corners of the internet.