For a demonstrator taking part in demonstrations against sanitary measures in Ottawa and Quebec, there is nothing simpler than getting an anti-vaccine flag. In a few clicks, it is possible to order one on Amazon.
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Flags, stickers or jerseys: a simple search on Amazon can buy a multitude of these products. It goes from the flag”Jesus is my vaccine(Jesus is my vaccine), to one of the favorites of truckers who took part in the “Freedom Convoy”: the famous “F*ck Trudeau”.
Screenshot of the Amazon website
Here are the first results that appear when you enter “antivax flag” in the Amazon search engine.
But a question arises: can Amazon sell anything? Is it prohibited from selling products that contribute to misinformation, such as a flag that claims faith can substitute for vaccines to protect against COVID-19?
Joel Lemay / QMI Agency
“The mere fact of selling flags, stickers, signs with anti-vaccine or anti-Trudeau slogans is not in itself illegal,” says Pierre Trudel, professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montreal. .
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“Someone can express a point of view and it does not become illegal, even if it is contrary to scientific rigor”, he continues.
AFP
Beware of hate propaganda
The sale of such an object may become illegal when it contributes to hate propaganda. One could think, for example, of “a flag that would expressly encourage the killing of people based on their race or origin,” explains Mr. Trudel.
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Holding a Nazi flag, like some protesters in Ottawa last weekend, is not an offense under Canadian law, however.
Amazon is also a special case, says the professor. The company not only sells its own products, but also those of other people or companies. Amazon is only responsible for its products and does not have to monitor what sells on its platform.
However, if the sale of a product that is illegal or dangerous is reported to Amazon, the company has a responsibility to act.
Amazon has a social responsibility
Beyond the law, “a company of this dimension certainly has a social responsibility”, nevertheless maintains Pierre Trudel.
“Many people may feel that a business has a social responsibility, that is, a responsibility to encourage good behavior rather than providing potential customers with items that might encourage bad behavior.”
If the law cannot prevent Amazon from allowing the sale of anti-vaccine products on its site, social pressure, meanwhile, could push the company to act, argues the e-commerce specialist.
“Individuals or companies can decide to boycott Amazon if they believe the company is showing social irresponsibility,” he insists.
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That’s kind of what’s happening right now with Spotify, which is being accused of encouraging misinformation about COVID-19 by hosting the podcast of Joe Rogan.
AFP
In the last few days, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Gilles Vigneault asked to remove their music from the streaming platform.
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