House Homeland Security Hears COVID-19 Misinformation Widespread

Online misinformation has reached “dangerous levels” due to COVID-19, said House Homeland Security Committee Vice Chair Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., Monday during a virtual hearing. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., cited disinformation efforts by malign actors in China, Russia, Iran and Venezuela, citing evidence Chinese groups are sending disinformation texts to Americans. Domestic actors are motivated by personal gains in promoting false cures and treatments for COVID-19, said Stanford Internet Observatory Research Manager Renee DiResta. Wilson Center Disinformation Fellow Nina Jankowicz urged Congress to pass “common sense” social media regulation that “respects Democratic standards and human rights law,” increasing transparency so consumers can make informed decisions. Public Knowledge proposed developing a super fund to compel platforms like Google and Facebook to “invest in tools ... to fight misinformation online.”