Moderna, known for its mRNA coronavirus vaccine, engaged in extensive surveillance and influence operations, attempting to remove criticism or rejection of its vaccine from online discourse.
unheralded reports that Moderna, the biotech company noted for its mRNA coronavirus vaccine, is now at the center of a complex and controversial situation. While it achieved a staggering $100 billion valuation during the pandemic, recent reports suggest the company ventured beyond pharmaceutical innovation into the world of surveillance and public influence.
Moderna co-founder and president Noubar Afeyan answers questions during an interview with the Associated Press, in Rome, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
According to UnHerd’s report, Moderna developed an intricate monitoring network that it intended to use to influence public discourse about vaccines. At the heart of this operation is a collaboration with Public Good Projects (PGP), an NGO funded by the pharmaceutical industry and former law enforcement officials, with the aim of combating what the company considers to be misinformation. about vaccines However, the scope and methods of this initiative have raised significant concerns about the blurred lines between public health advocacy and corporate surveillance.
During the pandemic, Moderna transformed almost overnight from a fledgling biotech company to a household name, thanks to the widespread use of its mRNA vaccine. However, as demand for vaccines declined, so did Moderna’s revenue. In response, Moderna not only raised vaccine prices but also began a marketing campaign to maintain its relevance in the public health arena.
The company’s surveillance arm, led by Nikki Rutman, a former FBI analyst, monitors a wide range of mainstream and alternative media. Using advanced technology like Talkwalker’s “BlueSilk” AI, the team tracks vaccine-related conversations on millions of websites around the world. High-risk alerts are generated for narratives that could harm Moderna’s interests or reinforce anti-vaccine sentiment.
This proactive approach to controlling and influencing vaccine discourse extends to the scrutiny of public figures such as Elon Musk and Russell Brand. Moderna’s reporting on public figures’ comments about vaccines doesn’t necessarily challenge their claims, but instead flags them as misinformation if they’re perceived to promote vaccines.
The collaboration between Moderna and PGP, however, is particularly interesting. UnHerd says the companies initially collaborated on a program called “Stronger” in 2021-22, which aimed to identify misinformation and shape content decisions on social media, but that the relationship has grown between the pharma and the NGO. PGP, with its extensive access to Twitter data and its influence in formulating speech policies related to the pandemic, has been instrumental in guiding Moderna’s strategy.
Read more at Undo here.
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News who covers issues of free speech and online censorship.
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