Facbook's crackdown on anti-vax campaigns and Uganda's controversial vehicle trackers
This week in The Checklist, we look at Facebook's crackdown of an alleged Russian network engaged in anti-vax disinformation campaigns to smear Western vaccines in India, Latin America and the US.
We also look at the Ugandan government's move to install digital trackers in public and private transport raising concerns of surveillance and invasion of citizen's privacy.
From Latin America and the Caribbean we bring you updates on how an abundance of mis/disinformation on health and political issues have contributed to a reversal of progress the region had made in securing right to information.
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Facebook removes anti-vax influencer campaign (BBC)
Facebook has removed hundreds of accounts which it says were involved in anti-vax disinformation campaigns operated from Russia. The company said the network of accounts targeted India, Latin America and the US and attempted to recruit influencers to spread false claims to undermine public confidence in Western Covid-19 vaccines. Facebook said it had removed 65 Facebook accounts and 243 Instagram accounts for violating their policy against foreign interference.
"Posts from accounts in the network spread memes that used images from the Planet of Apes films to give the impression the vaccine would turn people into monkeys. These posts appeared on Facebook in Hindi around the same time the Indian government was discussing emergency authorisation for the AstraZeneca vaccine." — Flora Carmichael and Charlie Haynes, BBC
Uganda’s popular boda-bodas are now part of the government’s surveillance system (Quartz)
Uganda's government has awarded a 10-year surveillance contract to Joint Stock Company Global Security, a Russian company, to implement “intelligent transport monitoring systems” on Uganda’s vehicles, motorcycles, and vessels. The government intends to re-register both public and private vehicles, motorcycle taxis and water vessels such as boats, through installing digital trackers to enable authorized state officials to track the movement of everyone using these modes of transport.
"The type and scope of information collected by GPS surveillance enables governments to monitor a person’s political associations, and their amorous interests in a way that invades their privacy and limits expression of other fundamental rights. Imagine a situation where the government can at any time track the whereabouts of any person. Is there a guarantee that the government will not use this technology to oppress citizens?" — Lynette Akankwatsa, Social Justice Fellow at the Centre for Legal Aid
What you need to know now: Trends in freedom of expression and information in Latin America and the Caribbean (Ifex)
Latin America has seen a decline in its historical progress towards recognizing the right to information – despite an important new regional treaty in the area. A shortage of credible information in relation to critical issues, including the fight against COVID, sits in contrast to the abundance of disinformation and misinformation that has submerged the region, not only in relation to the disease and its treatment, but also about broader political issues, in particular electoral processes.
"Since the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, regional organizations have pointed to decreased levels of transparency in relation to health related information, including in relation to epidemiological data, vaccine doses and vaccination calendars, availability of hospital beds, investments in the expansion of public health facilities, and the overall situation of medical personnel." — Paula Martin, IFEX
What’s new at Meedan
Ekta consortium editors' take on vaccine hesitancy in India
In India, vaccine hesitancy poses a risk to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to vaccines running out, fears and rumours about the vaccine have resulted in delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination.
This blogpost captures the views of editors of Ekta consortium about the reasons for vaccine hesitancy in India and their response to the challenge. The Ekta consortium has been formed by six independent fact-checking groups in India: AFP Fact Check, BOOM Live, Factly, India Today Fact Check, Vishvas News and WebQoof. All the groups are part of Facebook’s third-party fact-checking program, and Meedan has provided access to its fact-checking platform Check and strategic support for this project.