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Facebook and Twitter have cancelled appearances at SXSW

The ongoing spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has technology firms reconsidering attendance at events.

The most recent event set to lose high-profile attendees is South by Southwest (SXSW) which is happening from 13th to 22nd March.

The conference / festival features a convergence of film, music, art and technology and as you might guess, tech firms are usually in attendance.

However, this year both Facebook and Twitter have cancelled appearances at SXSW citing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.

Regarding Twitter, the firm said on Sunday that it was suspending “all non-critical business travel and events”. That seems to include chief executive officer Jack Dorsey.

According to a report by The Verge, Dorsey will no longer be presenting his keynote address at SXSW. The firm’s #TwitterHouse at SXSW has also reportedly been cancelled.

Following Twitter’s cancellation, Facebook also pulled out of the conference on Monday.

“Due to concerns related to coronavirus, our company and employees will not be participating in SXSW this year,” a Facebook spokesperson told CNN.

SXSW itself remains committed to hosting the annual event. In a statement via Twitter, SXSW said it was “working closely on a daily basis with local, state and federal agencies to plan for a safe event”.

COVID-19 has already led to the cancellation of MWC Barcelona 2020 as well has forcing the organisers of the Game Developers Conference to postpone the event.

Facebook also cancelled the in-person portion of its annual F8 Developers Conference.

As of 2nd March, the World Health Organisation reports that there are 88 948 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

[Image – SXSW Press Images]

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