WhatsApp Groups Spread Conspiracy Theories More Than Social Media, Says Kemi Badenoch

London: Kemi Badenoch recently shared some eye-opening insights at the Covid-19 Inquiry. She pointed out that family WhatsApp groups are actually spreading more false claims about the pandemic than social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter.

During her testimony, she was asked about her role as an equalities minister while the inquiry looked into vaccine uptake among ethnic minorities. Badenoch mentioned that she was more concerned about private channels of communication than public ones.

She said, “The things that really concern me are the pieces of information that are less visible.” It’s those private chats that can really stir up misinformation, like claims that vaccines are dangerous or that the government is hiding the truth.

Badenoch noted that even reputable sources, like the British Medical Association, have been misused to back up these false claims. It’s a tricky situation, and she admitted she wasn’t sure how to tackle misinformation in these private groups.

However, she emphasized that the government’s best move is to provide clear information and foster a sense of unity. To build public trust, she even participated in vaccine trials herself, showing that she was willing to take the same risks as everyone else.

Interestingly, she also mentioned that she wasn’t out to blame those spreading misinformation. She believes that attacking them could make things worse, fueling even more conspiracy theories.

On a positive note, Badenoch highlighted efforts to increase vaccine uptake among ethnic minorities. They used places of worship as vaccination centers and launched campaigns on platforms like the BBC Asian Network to raise awareness.

When asked if these efforts made a difference, she confidently replied, “I think it made a difference. It certainly created improvements.” The key takeaway? Raising awareness helped get more people involved, rather than relying solely on government initiatives.