Facebook, Google, and other online platforms are racing to curb
advertising content that inappropriately capitalises off the
Coronavirus pandemic.
With an influx of misinformation hitting social media, the
companies are scrambling to stop advertising which exploits the
public health emergency. Facebook recently prohibited
advertisements that claim to prevent or cure Coronavirus, and those
that generate hysteria by advertising 'limited supplies' of
therapeutic goods like face masks. Google also issued a statement
claiming to have blocked tens of thousands of advertisements
attempting to capitalise on the Coronavirus situation.
In Australia, publishing incorrect and inappropriate advertising
content about therapeutic goods in relation to Coronavirus
potentially contravenes the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and
the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. The Therapeutic Goods
Administration (TGA) can impose a range of
penalties and sanctions upon advertisers that do not
