INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Google appears to have hidden apps related to coronavirus from search results in the Google Play store.The change, as reported by
9to5Google, is likely an attempt to stop the spread of misinformation about the virus.At the time of writing, searches for 'coronavirus' and
'Covid-19' (the official name for the disease caused by the virus) yield no results
Such searches worked as expected until very recently, and a search for 'covid' reveals dozens of apps containing both terms.Some apps about
protecting yourself from the virus might be benign or even helpful guides, with information about correct hand-washing and how to quarantine
However, apps could also be used to spread misinformation that's unhelpful at best, and dangerous at worst.It's also possible that
unethical developers are attempting to cash in on the crisis, pushing out very simple apps that contain little information at all, and are
mostly a means of showing ads or convincing worried users to sign up for premium features.Google isn't the only tech company stepping in to
vaccinations and cancer, showing only information from reputable medical publications
It's now taken the same approach with coronavirus, showing a set of information cards created by the World Health Organization (WHO)
offering advice on limiting the spread of the virus.Facebook is taking a similar approach
Mark Zuckerberg says that the social network is giving WHO free advertising space, and redirecting searches for 'coronavirus' to information
from the WHO or a local health authority.False claims and conspiracy theories will be swiftly removed, and anyone trying to exploit the
situation by advertising miracle cures will find their accounts blocked.(Image credit: Twitter)Twitter isn't going so far as to block
content, and a search for the virus brings up tweets containing all sorts of false information (including a tutorial on making an effective
face mask using a piece of toilet paper and rubber bands).These are preceded by a notification box marked 'Know the facts' with a link to a
verified local health provider, but the site might choose to follow Google and Facebook's example, and tighten up its policy in the coming
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