Facebook forced to limit misinformation spread via WhatsApp amid Sydney lockdown
Claims that supermarkets will close amid Covid outbreak prompt NSW Health to urge people to use ‘trusted and credible sources’
New South Wales Health has issued a warning about misinformation circulating on WhatsApp that claims Sydney supermarkets will close as part of the ongoing lockdown, with owner Facebook saying it is working to limit the spread of misinformation on its private messaging app.
On Thursday, it was reported that a screenshot purporting to be from NSW Health saying that supermarkets would close for four days as part of the Covid-19 response was circulating on WhatsApp.
Supermarkets in NSW have remained open during the greater Sydney lockdown and are considered essential retail. In a statement on Friday, the state’s health department urged people not to take advice from anywhere but the official NSW Health channels.
“NSW Health is urging people to use trusted and credible sources of information to inform them about the most up-to-date Covid-19 information in NSW,” a spokesperson said.
