Government Takes Action Against False Coronavirus Information Online

Government Ramps Up Fight Against COVID-19 Misinformation

Specialist government units are working rapidly to combat false and misleading information about coronavirus circulating online, as officials warn that misinformation could undermine public health efforts and potentially cost lives.

The Rapid Response Unit, operating from within the Cabinet Office and No10, is currently handling up to 70 incidents weekly, addressing everything from false claims by self-proclaimed “experts” to sophisticated phishing scams by fraudsters attempting to exploit public anxiety.

“We need people to follow expert medical advice and stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives,” said Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden. “It is vital that this message hits home and that misinformation and disinformation which undermines it is knocked down quickly.”

The unit forms part of a coordinated cross-government approach to tackling dangerous falsehoods. When problematic content is identified, the team works across Whitehall departments to deploy appropriate countermeasures, which may include direct rebuttals on social media, collaborating with platforms to remove harmful content, or ensuring official health guidance reaches the public through trusted channels.

This effort is being bolstered by the Counter Disinformation Cell led by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The cell brings together government experts with specialists from the technology sector, civil society, and academia to comprehensively assess the scope and impact of coronavirus-related disinformation.

Dowden confirmed he will be contacting major social media companies this week to acknowledge their efforts so far but also to discuss additional measures that could ensure accurate information consistently reaches platform users.

Some of the false narratives being targeted include dangerous health misinformation that could put lives at risk. Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt highlighted examples: “Holding your breath for ten seconds is not a test for coronavirus and gargling water for 15 seconds is not a cure – this is the kind of false advice we have seen coming from sources claiming to be medical experts.”

The government is also reviving its successful “Don’t Feed the Beast” public information campaign next week. The initiative aims to empower citizens to critically evaluate online information before sharing it further.

“The public can also help with this effort,” Mordaunt added. “So today we implore them to take some simple steps before sharing information online, such as always reading beyond the headline and scrutinizing the source.”

Officials are promoting the “SHARE” checklist to help people identify potentially misleading content. The five-step guide encourages users to verify sources, read beyond headlines, analyze facts, check whether images appear doctored, and look for errors in spelling and grammar that might indicate unreliable information.

The threat extends beyond domestic misinformation. Government officials note that certain foreign states routinely deploy disinformation as a policy tool, prompting increased collaboration with international partners to share assessments on coronavirus disinformation. This collaborative approach has already yielded benefits in understanding and defending against sophisticated information operations.

These measures complement recent guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre about cyber criminals exploiting the pandemic. The centre has issued advice on identifying suspicious coronavirus-related emails and defending against malware and ransomware attacks.

The comprehensive approach underscores the government’s recognition that managing the information environment has become a critical component of its pandemic response strategy. With lives literally at stake, officials are treating the battle against misinformation with the same urgency as other aspects of the COVID-19 crisis.