Vol.:(0123456789) Journal of Public Health Policy https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-023-00437-2 VIEWPOINT Curbing the COVID‑19 digital infodemic: strategies and tools Maxat Kassen 1 Accepted: 18 August 2023 © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited 2023 Abstract A problematic manifestation of the COVID-19 pandemic is a related digital ‘inf- odemic’ with widespread dissemination of rumors, conspiracy theories, and other misinformation about the impact of the crisis on aspects of political and socio-eco- nomic life. Those spreading the misleading information did so through social media. In response, public, private and non-government stakeholders around the world have proposed a wide range of e-government policy approaches to combat this new digi- tal phenomenon. For this Viewpoint I identifed, analyzed, and classifed the most interesting strategies, platforms, and tools proposed or already used by public deci- sion-makers to combat the spread of false information related to the pandemic in a digital society. Keywords COVID-19 · Digital infodemic · Public awareness · Social media · Public health Key messages • Generation and distribution of false information in an ‘infodemic’ has interfered with public health and medical activities to protect and treat populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Most misleading information about COVID-19 is spread digitally through social media outlets. • Strategies, platforms, and tools to combat spread of false information efectively require cooperation among public, civic, and private stakeholders. * Maxat Kassen maxat.kassen@gmail.com 1 Astana IT University, Mangilik El Avenue, 55/11, 010000 Astana, Kazakhstan