Using our site

Social media

This page outlines our social media channels – how we use them, what we expect, and how we manage and moderate them.

Social media channels

We use these social media channels:

Terms of use

We welcome comments on our social media channels, webcasts and online forums.

By accessing one of these platforms, you agree to comply with these terms of use. 

We do not endorse or support the comments, opinions or statements posted by users on our platforms. Any information or material placed online by users is their own responsibility and does not represent the views of the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

The CDC moderates its online channels to support respectful discussion and the sharing of accurate, evidence-informed public health information, in line with its role as a national public health authority.

Information shared on CDC social media channels is intended to provide general public health information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

If you have concerns about your health, seek advice from a qualified health professional. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

When using our social media sites, webcasts and online forums, we ask that you:

  • protect your personal privacy, and that of others, by not including personal information of either yourself or of others (for example, names, email addresses, private addresses or phone numbers)
  • represent your own views and not impersonate or falsely represent any other person
  • not make defamatory comments
  • be polite – don’t be insulting, abusive, provocative, hateful, obscene, offensive or threatening
  • not post material that infringes the intellectual property rights of others
  • not post multiple versions of the same view or make excessive postings on a particular issue
  • not share misinformation or misleading information, particularly where it may cause harm to public health
  • not promote commercial interests or make overtly party-political comments
  • not include links to external websites except where they direct to verified Australian Government sources, recognised public health authorities (such as the World Health Organization), or other credible, evidence-based information, at our discretion
  • not make unproven or unsupported accusations against individuals or organisations
  • not encourage conduct that may or would constitute a criminal offence or give rise to civil liability, or that otherwise violates any local, provincial, national or international law or regulation anywhere in the world
  • not incite hatred on the basis of any personal characteristic, including:
    • race
    • gender
    • marital or domestic status
    • disability
    • sexuality
    • age
  • not identify matters that are currently the subject of legal proceedings or would break a court’s non-publication order
  • not make comments irrelevant to the topic being discussed.

How we manage and moderate content

We want everyone’s experience on our social media channels, webcasts and online forums to be positive. 

Thus, we reserve the right to:

  • remove any comments that we consider are in breach of our terms of use 
  • close comment sections
  • block users.

In line with the CDC’s mis- and disinformation framework, moderation decisions may prioritise:

  • public safety
  • the accuracy of health information
  • the protection of personal or commercial-in-confidence information
  • the prevention of harm.

This is particularly important during public health incidents, emergencies, or periods of heightened risk.

We may change this policy at any time.

Social media platforms operate under their own terms and conditions, and access to CDC content may also be affected by platform-level moderation or restrictions beyond the CDC’s control.

Disclaimer

Social media channels that we use are external sites and have their own binding terms and conditions. Make sure you are familiar with the policies of the various channels when you use them.

For posts and displays on our channels, we are not responsible for:

  • the views of others
  • the accuracy, currency and completeness of information
  • advertising
  • links to other websites or social media channels.

Always check that any information is current and relevant to your situation.

Contact

If you have any queries or concerns about our use of social media, please contact us.

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