Democrats Are Calling on Zuckerberg, Musk to Combat Abortion Misinformation and Disinformation

Democrats in the House of Representatives have issued a direct call to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, and Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly known as Twitter), urging them to take immediate action against the proliferation of abortion misinformation and disinformation on their respective social media platforms.

In a letter addressed to Zuckerberg and Musk, members of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee expressed grave concerns over the alarming spread of misleading information about abortion, citing its potential to deter individuals from accessing essential reproductive health services due to misleading advice:

“As the legal status of abortion changes across the country and a number of state legislatures impose drastic new restrictions on health care choices, people seeking information about abortion care and services turn to [Facebook, Instagram, and X] for accurate and reliable information—not propaganda. Yet individuals and groups that are anti-choice are promoting dangerously inaccurate medical information and false content about abortion online.”

The lawmakers underscored the urgent need for these social media giants to address the dissemination of false information regarding abortion, citing instances where posts and advertisements on these platforms falsely claimed to reverse chemical abortions. This assertion directly contradicts medical advice from reputable organizations like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which deems such claims as "unproven and unethical."

Furthermore, the letter pointed out what seems to be a discrepancy in content moderation policies. While acknowledging Meta's community standards on platforms like Threads, Instagram, and Facebook, the representatives highlighted the persistence of misinformation despite these platforms' stated guidelines.

Regarding Musk's platform X, the representatives highlighted the platform's inconsistent approach to posts related to abortion. They emphasized reports indicating the removal of posts advocating for abortion access while allowing false information about abortion to circulate unchecked.

The House Democrats concluded their letter by calling for immediate action from Zuckerberg and Musk to address the spread of misinformation on their platforms. They also requested a briefing for Oversight Committee staff to further discuss these concerns.

The surge in abortion misinformation circulating on social media has long been a concern, particularly gaining momentum following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in June last year. This escalating issue is further compounded by social media platforms grappling with legal shifts and the amplified online activities of anti-abortion entities, emboldened by recent legal victories.