Coronavirus 'cure' ads banned on Facebook amid controversial vaccine claims

As Covid-19 deathtoll approaches 3,000, Trump ally claims treatment will be ready within 'several months'

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Facebook has banned adverts that falsely claim to offer a cure or vaccine to the Covid-19 coronavirus.

The technology giant’s policy comes after the World Health Organisation warned of an “infodemic” surrounding the virus, which has seen misinformation and conspiracy theories spread across social media.

There is currently no cure or vaccine for the Covid-19 coronavirus strain and the outbreak is showing no signs of slowing down. The number of global coronavirus cases passed 80,000 this week, with the deathtoll currently at around 2,800.

“We recently implemented a policy to prohibit ads that refer to the coronavirus and create a sense of urgency, like implying a limited supply, or guaranteeing a cure or prevention,” Facebook told Business Insider, which first reported the ban.

“We also have policies for surfaces like Marketplace that prohibit similar behaviour.”

Facebook’s statement comes after misleading claims by acting US Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf that a vaccine is nearly ready.

Mr Wolf told a Senate hearing that a coronavirus vaccine would be ready “within months”, despite estimates by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it will be at least a year before one is approved.

An experimental vaccine developed by US biotech firm Moderna shipped this week to US government researchers, however the process of testing the potential immunisation will take at least one year to complete.

More than 80 clinical trials are also currently underway in China, where the outbreak started, with each trial containing up to 600 people. Treatments being tested range from traditional Chinese medicines that are centuries-old, to malaria and HIV drugs proven to kill off the virus in cell culture.

Facebook first outlined its response to the coronavirus public health emergency in a blog post last month, which explained how its “global network of third-party fact-checkers” would review any content relating to the outbreak.

“When they rate information as false, we limit its spread on Facebook and Instagram and show people accurate information from these partners,” the post stated.

“We also send notifications to people who already shared or are trying to share this content to alert them that it’s been fact-checked.”

Other tech firms are also taking measures to stem the spread of misinformation and profiteering surrounding the coronavirus. Twitter said it would prioritise authoritative health information, while Amazon has warned third-party sellers against excessive price hikes for highly-demanded items like face masks.