Meta wins appeal against RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vaccine Group

Meta Platforms has successfully defended itself against an appeal from Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine organization founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Friday that Meta’s actions in censoring vaccine misinformation on Facebook did not violate the group’s constitutional rights.
Case Overview
- Appeal Outcome: The court decided that Children’s Health Defense failed to prove that Meta collaborated with federal officials to suppress vaccine-related content. The decision supports Meta’s right to manage content on its platform according to its policies.
- Meta’s Actions: The platform had flagged and removed posts claiming COVID-19 vaccines were ineffective, and directed users to authoritative sources like the World Health Organization for accurate information.
Court’s Ruling
- First Amendment Rights: Circuit Judge Eric Miller, appointed by former President Donald Trump, stated that Meta, as a private company, has the right to control the content it hosts. He emphasized that Meta’s actions align with its belief in the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
- Additional Claims: The court also dismissed claims against the Poynter Institute and Science Feedback, which assist Meta in verifying the accuracy of information on Facebook.
Dissenting Opinion
- Judge’s Dissent: Circuit Judge Daniel Collins, also a Trump appointee, disagreed with the ruling on free speech claims. He suggested that Children’s Health Defense could pursue an injunction for these claims while agreeing that monetary damages should not be awarded.
Background
- Legal Battle: The lawsuit, filed in 2020, alleged that Meta’s actions infringed on the group’s constitutional rights by labeling their vaccine-related posts as false and restricting their advertising.
- Meta’s Enforcement: Meta removed Children’s Health Defense’s accounts from Facebook and Instagram in August 2022 following continued violations of its policies.