Facebook to now ban 'false claims' about coronavirus vaccines

Facebook announced Thursday it will start removing what it deems misinformation about coronavirus vaccines.

The decision is consistent with the social media platform's overall policy of removing what it considers misinformation about the virus, including posts about unfounded cures. 

But until now, as government approval and distribution of a vaccine nears, Facebook had yet to take a clear stance on vaccines, except for banning ads that promote anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, according to CNBC.

The company said it will start removing "false claims about these vaccines that have been debunked by public health experts."

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Monday signaled the change, saying the platform would show users "authoritative information about the vaccines." 

The company from March to October removed 12 million posts as a result of its policy on what it considers coronavirus misinformation, the news outlet reports.