Part of a series on the
COVID-19 pandemic
in the United Kingdom,
British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies
(Part of the global COVID-19 pandemic)
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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]

Criticism

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]

References

  1. ↑ "Counter-Disinformation Unit – open source information collection and analysis: privacy notice". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  2. ↑ "Question about Coronavirus Disinformation". TheyWorkForYou. 6 January 2022. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  3. 1 2 3 4 team, Investigations; Diver, Tony (2023-06-02). "Exclusive: Ministers had 'chilling' secret unit to curb lockdown dissent". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  4. 1 2 3 team, Investigations (2023-06-09). "Covid disinformation unit made 'hourly contact' with tech firms, its leader reveals". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  5. ↑ "Coronavirus: Disinformation". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
  6. ↑ "Question about Coronavirus Vaccine". TheyWorkForYou. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 2023-06-11.
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