Important work has been undertaken in this direction. If we are to respond to information needs as they emerge, and understand whether they are causing harm, we need a way to monitor them. Suggested searches for ‘vaccine’ on Facebook. And with billions of users, they may be creating major social vulnerabilities. It’s therefore easy to miss the fact that data voids exist here, too: Even though search isn’t the primary interface, it’s still a major feature. Whereas the primary interface of search engines is the search bar, the primary interface of social media platforms is the feed: algorithmic encounters with posts based on general interest, not a specific question you’re searching to answer. When it comes to data voids, a distinction is usually drawn between search engines and social media platforms.

Data voids were first defined by Michael Golebiewski and danah boyd in 2019, and describe vulnerabilities that emerge from search engines like Google. These invisible moments of vulnerability are known as data voids: when there are high levels of demand for information on a topic, but low levels of credible supply. This can lead to confusion, conspiracy theories, self-medication, stockpiling and overdoses. If more speculation or misinformation exists around these terms than credible facts, then search engines often present that to people who, in the midst of a pandemic, may be in a desperate moment. Some were found to be effective, others less so. A range of medicines have been tried and tested, including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir, remdesivir, azithromycin and dexamethasone. Viral posts claimed a runny nose was not a sign of the disease, or that garlic, alcohol or sunlight were good preventative measures. At the beginning of the pandemic, confusion about symptoms, causes and treatments reined. We are especially vulnerable when we want to know something - such as how to treat Covid-19 - but no credible information exists. Everyone needs access to credible information during a pandemic.

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