Bolsonaro's Son Banned From Twitch for COVID-19 Misinformation
Jair Renan Bolsonaro, son of Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, was banned from the Amazon-owned Twitch.tv after casting COVID-19 misinformation according to a recently published article.
Jair enjoys broadcasting one of the most popular video games today, League of Legends. He uses Twitch to live stream his game, and at present, he has 50,000 followers on the popular streaming service.
However, he was banned from Twitch recently due to the spreading of misinformation while streaming live. In regards to the current global health crisis, he said: "Go to the streets, OK? What pandemic? This is a media invention to lock you inside your home, so you'll think the world is crumbling. It's just a little flu, brother."
Before this, his father was censored by Twitter and Facebook for posting a video of him speaking out about how there is a need to balance addressing the pandemic with averting a prolonged economic slump.
You may also remember that his father was criticized many times due to the spreading of false information about the virus as well. One time, in particular, was a video recommending people to try an unproven treatment for COVID-19, which was later removed by Twitter and Facebook.
It was first reported that Jair Bolsonaro would have a lifetime ban, but Twitch clarified that the ban is just temporary, however, they did not explain as to how long it will last. As of today, his account is still unavailable.
In an email sent by Twitch to a news outlet, they said: "In line with our policies on hateful conduct, Renan Bolsonaro has been issued a temporary ban from Twitch for comments made on stream, and the offending content has been removed."
Twitch is the latest social media platform to demonstrate that they are serious about punishing people who spread fake news about COVID-19. This issue should be taken seriously because this is not your ordinary illness.
At present, it has already infected more than 3.9 million people around the globe and claimed the lives of more than 270,000. In Brazil alone, there are more than 135,000 cases, and a death toll of more than 9,000 according to worldometers.
Meanwhile, YouTube banned two doctors from Bakersfield, California, who suggested reopening the United States because of the expected low mortality rates.
Misinformation about COVID-19 has become rampant online as social media struggles to stop fake news. According to a report from the Reuters Institute at Oxford University published in April, vast misinformation about the virus is coming from influencers, politicians, and celebrities.
Different social media sites continue to ban personalities who are generating fake news about COVID-19. It can also be remembered that Google and other sites joined together to forego celebrating April Fool's Day, mostly due to the fact that some jokes or pranks would be related to COVID-19. It was to give respect to those who continue to battle the deadly virus and to honor those who serve to combat the virus.
Read a related article: Former Brazilian President Calls Bolsonaro a 'Troglodyte' for Lack of COVID-19 Response