A disturbing new report has found that vaccine disinformation is running rampant on Doximity, a social media platform for doctors
A damning new report has found that Doximity is harbouring conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers among its members.
This is despite the site’s extensive vetting process, which verifies that all members are registered US healthcare professionals.
Doximity is a networking site for doctors, with customised feeds based on the user’s area on medical practise. The feed is curated with posts from medical and science journals and sites.
From anti-vaxxers to white supremacists
Although the site doesn’t allow users to post their own stories or articles, they can comment on them.
One retired US doctor who now volunteers with Covid-19 vaccine administration said he often sees misinformation in these comments sections.
“You rarely get to the level of microchips in vaccines, but a lot of this stuff is pretty close to it,” said Dr. Paul Malarik.
You would NOT BELIEVE the posts I've seen just this week on the Doximity doctors-only site.
OPEN, vicious, horrific white male supremacy from the Christian nuts.
In one instance, an article about face masks for children was inundated with comments from anti-vax doctors
One comment said that masks for children were “ridiculous” and “a form of child abuse”.
The current public health advice is that masks help limit the spread of Covid-19. There is also currently no approved vaccine for children under 12 years old.
How do they know the anti vaxers are even real, licensed in good standing, actively practicing physicians? A requirement to be in the group should be at least 80 hours service on a C-19 ICU.
Doximity says that “spreading false or misleading information” is against its community guidelines
The platform also said that it removes all posts or comments spreading misinformation.
“While we encourage our members to share their views in our comments section, we explicitly prohibit the sharing of medical misinformation,” a spokesperson said.
Doximity has 1.8 million members, including 80 percent of US doctors. The company made a net income of over $50 million in the last financial year, but stocks have fallen almost 8% in the last day.
Natasha is an Associate Producer at ticker NEWS with a Bachelor of arts from Monash University. She has previously worked at Sky News Australia and Monash University as an Online Content Producer.
Rockstar Games surprises fans with an early release of the Grand Theft Auto VI trailer following an online leak.
In a stunning reveal, the highly anticipated “Grand Theft Auto VI” trailer has finally hit the gaming community, and it’s not holding back on the mayhem. Rockstar Games, known for pushing boundaries, seems to have outdone itself this time, showcasing a virtual world teeming with criminal escapades and high-stakes action.
Rockstar embraced a leak and unveiled the official trailer ahead of schedule. Fans are speculating on new features and plot twists, creating a buzz on social media.
Now, the gaming community eagerly dissects every frame of the trailer, searching for additional details beyond the leaked material.
The trailer opens with a breathtaking skyline of the fictional metropolis, setting the stage for a narrative that promises to be as immersive as it is controversial. From high-speed car chases to pulse-pounding shootouts, the snippets offer a glimpse into the sheer scale and detail the developers have poured into the latest installment. Fans are already dissecting every frame, eagerly speculating on the storyline and characters that will drive this blockbuster game.
Google has decided to delay the launch of its highly-anticipated conversational AI bot, codenamed ‘Gemini,’ until January.
Originally scheduled for release in December, the postponement comes as the tech giant strives for perfection in its new AI creation.
The decision to delay ‘Gemini’ is reportedly due to the need for additional testing and fine-tuning of the AI’s conversational abilities.
Google aims to ensure that ‘Gemini’ offers a seamless and engaging user experience, and the extra time will be dedicated to achieving this goal. #featured
Music streaming giant Spotify is now grappling with a significant decline in its user base.
Analysts point to a combination of factors contributing to Spotify’s woes. One major concern is the rise of alternative platforms offering unique features and a diverse range of content, enticing users away from the once-unrivalled Spotify.
Additionally, controversies surrounding artist compensation and royalty disputes have tarnished the platform’s image, leading to growing discontent among both musicians and listeners.
The company’s stock prices have experienced a notable dip in response to the user base decline. Spotify now faces the challenging task of regaining its footing in an increasingly competitive market.
Industry experts are closely watching how the platform plans to innovate and address the issues that have led to its recent setbacks.
Spotify has also announced plans to lay off 17% of its global workforce. The decision comes as the company aims to optimise resources and focus on key business priorities in the face of evolving market dynamics.
The restructuring will impact various departments, including engineering and customer support, as Spotify looks to enhance efficiency and adapt to changing industry trends. The move is expected to generate cost savings for the company while allowing it to allocate resources to areas crucial for future growth.
Despite the layoffs, Spotify remains committed to delivering a seamless music streaming experience for its users and fostering innovation within the industry. The company has emphasised that these changes are part of a broader strategy to ensure sustained success and adaptability in an ever-evolving digital landscape.