George Washington University’s Institute for Data, Democracy and Politics (IDDP) held a forum on scams, profiteering and conspiracy theories during the coronavirus pandemic. Medical experts, victims of disinformation campaigns and legislators from both the U.S. and Canada discussed the challenges they were facing due to scams and conspiracy theories spread online. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate scams related to CARES Act stimulus payments, and also urged a reexamination of immunity from liability guaranteed to social media platforms, which they said help spread misinformation.
Online Scams and COVID-19
June 16, 2020
