UW: Amazon a Hotbed for Vaccine Conspiracies, Misinformation Researchers at the University of Washington have found that Amazon’s search algorithms boost books and products that promote misinformation about COVID vaccines and general health. Katherine Khashimova Long, The Seattle Times | January 29, 2021 | News
(TNS) As vaccine misinformation has prompted some to say they will refuse to be inoculated against the coronavirus, the world s largest online retailer remains a hotbed for anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, according to a new study by University of Washington researchers.
Amazon s search algorithm boosts books promoting false claims about vaccines over those that debunk health misinformation, the researchers found and as customers engage with products espousing bogus science, Amazon s recommendation algorithms point them to additional health misinformation.