Instagram bans Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over COVID-19 vaccine misinformation: WSJ

[February 11, 2021]    (Reuters) - Photosharing platform Instagram, owned by Facebook Inc, has removed the account of vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for posting misleading information about COVID-19, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

Attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks to a crowd of supporters outside New York State Supreme Court after a hearing challenging the constitutionality of the NY State Legislature's repeal of the religious exemption to vaccination in Albany, New York, U.S., August 14, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Kennedy, the nephew of late President John F. Kennedy, and his representatives could not immediately be reached for a comment. Facebook and Instagram did not respond to a request for comment.

The company permanently removed the account "for repeatedly sharing debunked claims about the coronavirus or vaccines," the Journal said citing an Instagram spokeswoman. https://on.wsj.com/2OvqzQN

Kennedy, a lawyer and environmentalist, is the son of the late former U.S. Senator, U.S. Attorney General and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy.

(Reporting by Rama Venkat in Bengaluru, Editing by Timothy Heritage)

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