Instagram users are being recommended Irish far-right parties’ accounts and pages that post conspiracy theories about Covid-19.

The social media company, owned by Facebook, has repeatedly said it is actively combating conspiracy theories about the pandemic.

However, a review by The Times shows that the app’s “suggested for you” feature is encouraging some users to follow accounts that promote conspiracy theories and which are actively promoting the planned protest outside RTÉ this week against the lockdown. The feature bases its recommendations on the pages a user already follows or has liked.

Users who have viewed the Antilockdown Ireland page, an account which frequently shares Covid-19 and vaccine-sceptic posts, are being recommended the account of the far-right political group, the National Party. Instagram also recommended accounts