Jul 22, 2021 - Technology

YouTube pulls Bolsonaro videos over COVID misinformation

President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro speaks during an event at Planalto Government Palace on June 29, 2021 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro during a June event in Brasilia, Brazil. Photo: Andressa Anholete/Getty Images

YouTube removed videos from Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's channel Wednesday for spreading pandemic misinformation, the tech giant said.

Driving the news: YouTube said a "careful review" found rule breaches concerning incorrect comments about face masks and hydroxychloroquine, which is proven to not work as a COVID-19 treatment, per a statement to news outlets.

The big picture: The far-right leader has frequently downplayed the virus — which has killed more than 545,600 people and infected nearly 19.5 million in Brazil, according to Johns Hopkins University.

  • The Supreme Court has opened an investigation into his government's handling of vaccine contracts and the Senate is holding hearings that could lead to his impeachment, Noticias Telemundo's Marina E. Franco writes for Axios.

Go deeper: Pandemic meets political crisis as investigations hit Bolsonaro allies

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