A conspiracy theory about 5G network testing leading to the current surge in coronavirus cases has been busted by the Central Government. Misinformation regarding 5G networks is a global phenomenon that several countries have been dealing with pre-pandemic.
Directly addressing the false message spreading on social media platforms finding a correlation between the rise in COVID-19 cases and 5G network testing in India, the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications said that these claims were completely false.
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“It has come to the notice of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications that several misleading messages are being circulated on various social media platforms claiming that the second wave of coronavirus has been caused by the testing of the 5G mobile towers,” the DoT said in a statement.
“The general public is hereby informed that there is no link between 5G technology and spread of Covid-19 and they are urged not to be misguided by the false information and rumours spread in this matter,” the DoT added.
The department reiterated that 5G network testing hasn’t fully begun in India, hence there’s no basis for any of these claims. The Press Information Bureau also keeps an eye on misinformation spreading online.
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The official PIB Twitter handle recently said, “In an audio message, it is being claimed that 5g network is being tested in the states, due to which people are dying. This claim is fake. Please do not spread confusion by sharing such fake messages.”
The DoT has taken initiatives to create public awareness about scientific facts on EMF emissions from mobile towers and their health effects. However, misinformation always finds new ways to seep through given the broad number of platforms accessible to the users today. As a remedy, citizens are recommended to always check out official government websites or sources to obtain all the relevant information on such topics.
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