Part of a series on the |
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies |
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(Part of the global COVID-19 pandemic) |
The Counter disinformation unit leads the UK's governments response to misinformation and disinformation. It states that it analyses public available information and does not collect non-public information.[1] The unit was established on 5 March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The unit commissioned reports from the Artificial intelligence firm Logically.[3] The unit was run by civil servant, Sarah Connolly.[4]
The CDU states it responds to narratives by rebutting social media posts, flagging posts, or promotion of public health campaigns.[5] The response also included downranking posts.[6]
Prominent critics of the United Kingdom responses to the COVID-19 pandemic were monitored by the unit.[3] Epidemiologist Carl Heneghan and tropical disease researcher Alexandre de Figueiredo were monitored by the unit as was Molly Kingsley who ran a campaign to keep schools open during the pandemic.[3] Member of parliament, David Davis had his comments logged by the unit.[4]
Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, said the concept of a central authority determining incorrect information is open to abuse and should be considered carefully.[3] David Davis called for the unit to be shut down and a government investigation initiated.[4]