The conspiracy subreddit, which has 2 million members, regularly contributes to the spread of conspiracy theories. As its name suggests, the subreddit is known for regularly spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation, such as claiming that multiple mass shootings were staged and spreading a conspiracy theory that was dubbed “Pizzagate 2.0.” It was also the “adopted home of Pizzagate theorists after Reddit shut down r/pizzagate.” [Reddit, accessed 11/27/23; Media Matters, 8/25/22; Twitter/X, 7/24/19; The Verge, 1/11/17]

In particular, r/conspiracy played a major role in spreading a conspiracy theory that an online furniture company was involved in human trafficking. The subreddit played a significant role spreading the baseless conspiracy theory that the company Wayfair was trafficking children. The false claims forced investigators at the Department of Homeland Security to “pause active investigations to sort out what was happening with Wayfair,” but they ultimately found “no evidence to support any of the allegations.” However, The Washington Post reported that “the company hired armed security at several fulfillment centers after an onslaught of threats from people who claimed they were bringing their guns to ‘free’ the kids.” [Twitter/X, 7/10/20; The Washington Post, 12/16/21]

Conspiracy subreddit users have spread antisemitism, anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, and threats of violence. Users on the conspiracy subreddit have repeatedly spread antisemitism, including content that targets specific Jewish people based on antisemitic tropes, denies the Holocaust, uses an antisemitic symbol to target Jewish people, invokes an antisemitic conspiracy theory about supposed fake Jewish people, and suggests violence against Jewish people. Users have also repeatedly spread anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, including accusing the LGBTQ community of grooming, having “mental illness,” and associating with pedophilia. Users have also issued calls to violence, such as threatening New Mexico’s governor and state government over a gun safety order. [Media Matters, 9/12/23, 9/18/23, 10/2/23]

Reddit prohibits “falsifiable health information that encourages or poses a significant risk of physical harm to the reader.” Reddit’s policies prohibit “content that encourages, glorifies, incites, or calls for violence or physical harm against an individual (including oneself) or a group of people.” As part of that policy, “health misinformation, namely falsifiable health information that encourages or poses a significant risk of physical harm to the reader, also violates the Rule.” [Reddit, accessed 11/27/23]

Reddit also prohibits “health disinformation … that has been manipulated and presented to mislead.” In a post to the “Reddit Security” subreddit on September 1, 2021, the platform also clarified that its “rule against impersonation … extends to ‘manipulated content presented to mislead,’” and it “interpreted this rule as covering health disinformation, meaning falsifiable health information that has been manipulated and presented to mislead,” as well as “falsified medical data and faked WHO/CDC advice.” [Reddit, 9/1/21]

Reddit previously took action against subreddits that have spread COVID-19 misinformation. In 2021, Reddit banned the COVID misinformation subreddit “r/NoNewNormal” and moved to “quarantine 54 additional COVID denial subreddits” for breaking the platform’s rules. [Reddit, 9/1/21]

An r/conspiracy user claimed that supporting COVID vaccines and getting vaccinated meant “you’re fucked buddy, and I imagine that since you believed all the propaganda, you’re probably on your 6th+ shot of poison. … And when you inevitably get hurt or sick, please remember that this is on you.” The user also added, “It’s your fault. And then remember that many other people are dealing with the same adverse effects and it’s your fault, your government’s fault, your media’s fault, and big pharma’s fault. Remember that on your deathbed.” [Reddit, 5/5/23]

Another user called COVID vaccines “the death jab,” a term used throughout the pandemic to undermine vaccines. [Media Matters, 1/12/22; Reddit, 8/30/21]

A user on r/conspiracy falsely claimed that a “parasitic organism” had been “found in COVID vaccines.” [PolitiFact, 10/10/21; Reddit, 10/10/21]

In response to a post from a user claiming they got a COVID vaccine but now regretted it, another user wrote, “I would get your affairs in order and do everything you can to detox your body. You’re now fighting an uphill battle.” Anti-vaccine figures repeatedly promoted false “detox” methods during the pandemic. [PolitiFact, 8/2/23; Reddit, 12/2/21]

Another user responded to the post and falsely wrote that they should “be more worried with your fertility and bleeding if it does occur.” They continued, “multiple women have reported it.. Along with miscarries, incontinence.” [MedPageToday, 10/23/23; Reddit, 12/2/21]

In response to the supposedly regretful COVID vaccine recipient, another r/conspiracy user said, “Obviously, the most important thing is to not stick anymore of that poison into yourself.” [Reddit, 12/2/21]

Other r/conspiracy users similarly responded to the supposedly regretful COVID vaccine recipient, with one claiming that “a lot of people rushed to get it at the start and learned their lessons,” and adding, “I think it is a good idea to avoid all shots from now on.” Another user added, “Yes ALL shots. That includes flu shots, which they are suspiciously pushing extra hard this year.” [Reddit, 12/2/21]

An r/conspiracy user claimed that “the reason why they want to have you take a ‘vaccine’ booster over a long duration of time which is 3 to 5 years” is to “get the mRNA in your system.” They also claimed that “both U.S. parties are complicit, both parties are implicated and liable in this mass genocide that is happening now.” In reality, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been “extensively tested” and “are effective in fighting COVID-19 and are safe for most people.” [Verify, 9/14/23; Reddit, 12/12/21]

Another user called the COVID vaccine “the kill shot” and urged others not to take boosters. [Reddit, 12/2/21]

In a post to the subreddit, a user falsely claimed that “‘long COVID’ is just another name for lingering vaccination side effects.” [Full Fact, 11/29/22; Reddit, 7/4/23]

A user in the conspiracy subreddit falsely claimed that people are “more likely to get Covid if you take a ‘vaccine,’” adding that the claim that the vaccine “‘prevents hospitalization’ is garbage also.” Another user agreed, calling the vaccines “deadly products.” [FactCheck.org, 6/10/22; Reddit, 7/4/23]

An r/conspiracy user misleadingly claimed that COVID vaccines “have been linked to a host of auto immune and neurological disorders.” [USA Today, 5/28/21; Reddit, 2/27/22]

Another user falsely claimed that multiple sclerosis “is just one of many chronic illnesses directly linked to ALL vaccines.” They added that “people need to demand safe vaccines or no vaccines. They are absolutely injuring people.” There is no evidence directly showing that vaccines cause MS. [Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, accessed 11/13/23; The Associated Press, 5/30/23; Reddit, 2/27/22]

A user baselessly claimed that COVID vaccines are “meant to kill off 50% of the world's population by 2025.” Besides invoking a known false conspiracy theory about vaccines being used to depopulate the world, the user also wrote that “the vaccine was poison.” [Reuters, 12/13/22 ; Reddit, 2/27/22]

In response to a user who claimed that a “disgusting” doctor wanted “my 6 months[-old] child to get covid vaccine,” another r/conspiracy user urged, “Never let them inject your child!!!! Stand strong. Find another smarter doctor.” [Reddit, 7/10/22]

In response to that same post, another user told the supposed parent to “use your anti-vax network” to “find yourself an anti-vax doctor.” [Reddit, 7/10/22]

An r/conspiracy user told a person who said they were vaccinated that they were a “victim of the massive vaccine-propaganda, that’s been going on for more than a 100 years. Vaccines are unsafe, and they’ve always been.” [Reddit, 7/16/22]

A user falsely claimed that “you are far more likely to be harmed by the mRNA injection than by the virus.” Referring to a 20-year-old, the user also said that there is “zero reason for anyone that young to get the vaccination” for COVID. [Reuters, 7/29/21; Reddit, 7/17/22]

Another user falsely claimed that all mRNA vaccines do “is kill.” [Reuters, 3/2/21; Reddit, 8/29/23]

A user falsely claimed that “myocarditis, neurological issues, blood ‘clots’, turbo cancer, miscarriages and healthy people just dropping dead” are “the intended effects” of COVID vaccines, which are part of the depopulation agenda.” They also baselessly claimed that vaccines are a “bioweapon.” As noted by The Associated Press, “The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna do carry a rare risk — most frequently for young men — of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, though experts and officials say the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.” [The Associated Press, 1/9/23; Reddit, 8/29/23]

In response to a video declaring vaccines to be “a bioweapon,” a user questioned “how anyone can watch this, explore the data shown, then come to the conclusion that COVID isn’t a bioweapon.” [Reddit, 8/31/23]

In the subreddit, a user posted a Rumble video alongside the text “Elon Musk’s X Deletes Video Of RFK Jr. Exposing Deadly Pfizer Jabs – See It Here!” [Reddit, 9/4/23]

In response to the Food and Drug Administration approving a new COVID booster in September, a user misleadingly claimed that the booster had “ZERO clinical trials. Let the natural selection begin.” [Verify, 9/14/23; Reddit, 9/12/23]

A user shared a YouTube video and amplified the video’s false claim that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “said that people who could get this variant are actually more likely to get it if they’ve been vaccinated. So we’re in a situation now where vaccination according to the CDC is increasing the likelihood of infection.” [The Associated Press, 8/28/23; Reddit, 8/29/23]

A user suggested without evidence that a “daughter of a Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine executive ‘died suddenly’ earlier this month after being forced to take the jab that her father helped produce.” The girl had actually died of a brain injury brought on by a seizure. The “died suddenly” conspiracy theory has baselessly alleged that numerous figures have died from COVID vaccines. [Mercer Daily Voice, 7/12/23; Media Matters, 3/10/23; Reddit, 8/1/23]

Another r/conspiracy user falsely claimed that “masks are not only useless, they are harmful.” As noted by PolitiFact, “There is a wealth of global research that concludes masks, in general, significantly reduce COVID spread.” Experts have also said there is no proof that masks have caused harm to human health. [PolitiFact, 8/5/21; Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 4/27/23; Reddit, 9/26/23]

A user misleadingly suggested that masks have caused people to inhale microplastics, posting an image about polypropylene being in some masks alongside a headline about microplastics being found in human lung tissue. The user wrote, “What led to people inhaling microplastics such as polypropylene deep into their lungs? What recent thing... could have possibly... played a role?” [Reuters, 7/20/22; Reddit, 4/15/22]

Another user similarly made the misleading claim, sharing an article and reiterating its claim that “Microplastics From Masks Found Deep in Lungs of the Living.” [Reuters, 7/20/22; Reddit, 6/3/22]

A user baselessly suggested that COVID vaccines were behind a rise of infant mortality in the United States. [Reddit, 11/7/23]

Studies have found that ivermectin “fails to show any benefit” for COVID-19, but r/conspiracy users encouraged its use, as well as the use of other unproven treatments.

A user claimed that “IVERMECTIN is a cheap, incredibly safe, highly effective CURE for most forms of cancer.” They added that “corrupt public heath authorities, media, politicians, and Pharma cartel have colluded so aggressively and blatantly to prevent its global use as a treatment and prophylactic preventative against ‘COVID.’” [Reddit, 7/11/21]

An r/conspiracy user gave dangerous instructions on taking ivermectin in the form of horse paste — which the FDA has previously warned against using. The user claimed that they got COVID and “I swear the Ivermectin made all the symptoms go away super fast. Fucking amazing! I bought another tube of ivermectin horse paste in case any friends or family members need it.” [Media Matters, 8/23/21; Reddit, 8/7/21]

A user claimed that “garlic raw also cures covid,” adding that others should “try it first next time.” [Reddit, 8/9/21]

Another user responded by promoting more unproven treatments, claiming that they “got covid and got over it naturally using Quercetin, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc.” They added that “now we both have full and robust immunity,” and “FUCK THE VACCINE POISON INJECTION!!” [Reddit, 8/7/21]

In response to a user asking if horse paste was “ok to eat” 9 months past its expiration date, another user wrote, “I’d still take it.” [Reddit, 8/8/21]

A user on r/conspiracy baselessly suggested that oregano oil could be a “natural cure for COVID-19.” They also alluded to the unproven use of hydroxychloroquine, adding, “Ivermectin & HCQ both 1 thing in common: they’re both ANTI-PARASITIC. For some reason, it seems that the coronavirus responds to anti-parasitic treatment,” and thus, “natural foods and supplements that are anti-parasitic can help.” Another user responded that “oil of oregano is great stuff” and “can provide a natural edge to fighting the virus.” [Reddit, 9/3/22]