Social media users set off the alarm bells after seeing a news report that women in Texas could be in jeopardy of the death penalty for having an abortion.
"GOP Texas lawmaker introduces bill to allow death penalty for women who have abortions," read a screenshot of the headline.
An Instagram user posted the screenshot on May 7, 2022, with an added message: "When you’re so pro-life that you’re pro-death." The screenshot was also shared on Twitter. The headline began circulating after a Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked May 3, 2022. When the court released its official decision June 24, it ended the federal right to seek legal abortion, leaving regulation to the states.
The Instagram post was flagged by Facebook, as part of their efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Facebook.)
The headline is real, but it’s from a 2021 article. The underlying Texas bill died in a legislative committee.