Instagram and Facebook suspended Children’s Health Defence this week after the anti-vaccine group led by Robert Kennedy Jr repeatedly violated rules prohibiting misinformation about Covid-19.
A nonprofit, Children’s Health Defence is one of the most influential anti-vaccine organisations active on social media, where it has spread misleading claims about vaccines and other public health measures designed to control the pandemic.
In a statement, Mr Kennedy compared Facebook’s actions to government censorship, even though it is a private company that can set and enforce its own rules about misinformation.
“Facebook is acting here as a surrogate for the federal government’s crusade to silence all criticism of draconian government policies,” Mr Kennedy said.
Children’s Health Defence had hundreds of thousands of followers at the time of the suspension, a statement from the organisation said, while also noting that it has sued Facebook over its moderation policies.
Public health advocates and misinformation experts have criticised Facebook for not acting more swiftly to contain potentially harmful misinformation about Covid-19 and vaccines.
Karen Kornbluh, director of the Digital Innovation and Democracy Initiative at the German Marshall Fund, said too many groups like Children’s Health Defence have been allowed to flourish on social media for too long. She noted that the group remains on Twitter.
“Today’s step is too late and too little,” Ms Kornbluh said and added that tech companies must address the reasons misinformation spreads so readily on social media.
Facebook and Instagram confirmed the company action on Thursday in a statement to the Associated Press.
“We removed these accounts for repeatedly violating our policies,” a spokesman for Meta, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, told AP. Under the platforms’ policies, suspensions are typically only enforced after several breaches.
Several state affiliates of Children’s Health Defence remain on Facebook and Instagram despite the ban of the national organisation. Mr Kennedy was kicked off Instagram last year but continues to keep an active account on Facebook.
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Primera Liga fixtures (all times UAE: 4 GMT)
Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Barcelona (8.15pm)
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid (12.15am)
Sunday
Espanyol v Leganes (8.15pm)
Eibar v Athletic Bilbao (8.15pm)
Getafe v Sevilla (10.15pm)
Real Madrid v Valencia (10.15pm)
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- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
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8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
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10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
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Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
