Madonna gets flagged on Instagram for spreading misinformation about coronavirus

By Alma Fabiani

Published Jul 29, 2020 at 12:28 PM

Reading time: 1 minute

7989

Why has Madonna’s Instagram account been censured?

Pop star Madonna has been censured on Instagram after she shared a video about a COVID-19 conspiracy theory to her 15 million followers. In her post, she claimed a vaccine for coronavirus had already been found but was being hidden to “let the rich get richer.”

Following its guidelines, Instagram decided to blur out the video with a caption saying: “False Information.” The social media platform also directed users to a page debunking the claims in the video, noting that there actually isn’t any coronavirus vaccine yet.

The video was later deleted from Madonna’s Instagram account but not before fans complained about the singer’s decision to share that kind of misinformation through this post.

Among the many people who reported the post was Scottish singer-songwriter and political activist Annie Lennox, who commented: “This is utter madness!!! I can’t believe that you are endorsing this dangerous quackery. Hopefully your site has been hacked and you’re just about to explain it.”

What was the video Madonna posted on Instagram about exactly?

The video showed a group called America’s Frontline Doctors speaking outside the US Supreme Court at an event organised by Tea Party Patriots Action. In it, Dr Stella Immanuel, a doctor from Houston, said she had successfully treated 350 coronavirus patients “and counting” with hydroxychloroquine.

Donald Trump Jr. was banned on Twitter for sharing the same video

Facebook and Twitter had previously removed the video, flagging it as misinformation. Donald Trump Jr. was banned from tweeting for 12 hours as a penalty for sharing the same clip.

According to Instagram, flagging a post as false makes it harder for users to discover it, which is why the platform took these actions against Madonna’s post.

Madonna made more controversial claims about COVID-19

This is not the first time Madonna has made controversial claims about coronavirus. In March, she posted a video of herself in her bath speaking about the virus and describing it as “the great equaliser.”

In May, she then revealed she had tested positive for antibodies, supposedly granting her immunity from the disease. She told her fans: “So tomorrow I’m just going to go on a long drive in a car, roll down the windows and I’m going to breathe in the COVID-19 air.”

Keep On Reading

By Eliza Frost

How fans manifested Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

By Abby Amoakuh

John Lithgow fumbles JK Rowling question as Harry Potter TV show cast struggles with fan backlash

By Eliza Frost

Do artists really owe us surprise guests at gigs, or are our expectations out of control?

By Eliza Frost

Black cat boyfriends are in to replace golden retriever boyfriends, but are they just emotionally unavailable men in disguise?

By Eliza Frost

The Summer I Turned Pretty stars Lola Tung and Gavin Casalegno caught in political drama

By Charlie Sawyer

Introducing Berlin’s latest tourist attraction Cybrothel, where men can request AI sex dolls covered in blood

By Abby Amoakuh

Right-wing Christian podcaster claims that airport body scanners can turn you gay

By Eliza Frost

Hailey Bieber’s new hands-free lip tint holder has everyone divided 

By Charlie Sawyer

Yung Filly’s legal troubles mount as the rapper faces two new sexual assault charges in Australia

By Eliza Frost

If everyone has an AI boyfriend, what does that mean for the future of Gen Z dating?

By Eliza Frost

UK to lower voting age to 16 by next election. A controversial move, but the right one

By Charlie Sawyer

Harry Potter star defends Tom Felton over his controversial comments on JK Rowling’s transphobia

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Belgian court lets convicted rapist go free so he can become a gynaecologist

By Abby Amoakuh

MrBeast faces new backlash as fans demand refunds for disastrous Las Vegas immersive experience

By Abby Amoakuh

Epstein and Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre becomes centre of conspiracy theories after revealing she has days to live

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Why do Gen Zers think KFC is using human meat? Unpacking the controversy behind the chain’s latest ad

By Charlie Sawyer

How influencer Liv Schmidt promotes toxic eating habits through the Skinni Société 

By Eliza Frost

Bad Bunny is not touring the US due to fear of ICE raids at concerts

By Alma Fabiani

The disturbing TikTok trend sexualising fake Down syndrome faces using AI filters

By Charlie Sawyer

SHEIN faces fines from EU for deceiving customers with fake discounts and misleading information