Social media giants are trying to do their part to combat misinformation over the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, has implemented a system whereby a link pops up if you try to search for certain hashtags.

This leads you to an official website with more information about the virus.

Search for Covid-19 related hashtags leads to MOH's website

For example, searching for #wuhanvirus:

And clicking on the top hashtag brings up this prompt:

Clicking on "see posts" still allows you to see all Instagrams with the hashtag, but a link to a website with official information is still included at the top:

Directs people to official sources of information in various countries

This appears to apply to Instagram users worldwide, including in Japan:

Canada:

And the United States:

It also appears to work on hashtags like "coronavirus", but not "ncov".

According to an announcement from Facebook on Jan. 30:

"When people search for information related to the virus on Facebook or tap a related hashtag on Instagram, we will surface an educational pop-up with credible information."

The company is also offering free advertising credits for organisations to run information campaigns on Instagram and Facebook, and is discussing other ways to support government efforts to inform the public.

In Singapore, the authorities have shown little hesitation to use the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulations Act (POFMA) to take down misinformation about the virus.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said he is "glad" of POFMA in its use to spread misinformation.

Top image by Sulaiman Daud.