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A conspiracy theory linking 5G technology to the outbreak of the coronavirus is quickly gaining momentum, with celebrities including actor Woody Harrelson promoting the idea. But the theory is also getting a boost from what some researchers say is a coordinated disinformation campaign.
Marc Owen Jones, a researcher at Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar, who specialises in online disinformation networks, analysed 22,000 recent interactions on Twitter mentioning “5G” and “corona,” and said he found a large number of accounts displaying what he termed “inauthentic activity.” He said the effort bears some hallmarks of a state-backed campaign.
“There are very strong indications that some of these accounts are a disinformation operation,” Jones said.
Jones said the campaign uses a strategy similar to Russia’s internet Research Agency, which was behind a disinformation campaign during the 2016 US presidential campaign. But he said he has not yet concluded that Russia, or any other government or organisation, is behind the effort.
Marc Owen Jones, a researcher at Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar, who specialises in online disinformation networks, analysed 22,000 recent interactions on Twitter mentioning “5G” and “corona,” and said he found a large number of accounts displaying what he termed “inauthentic activity.” He said the effort bears some hallmarks of a state-backed campaign.
“There are very strong indications that some of these accounts are a disinformation operation,” Jones said.
Jones said the campaign uses a strategy similar to Russia’s internet Research Agency, which was behind a disinformation campaign during the 2016 US presidential campaign. But he said he has not yet concluded that Russia, or any other government or organisation, is behind the effort.
5G virus conspiracy theory fuelled by coordinated effort
A conspiracy theory linking 5G technology to the coronavirus is getting a boost from what some researchers say is a coordinated disinformation campaign, especially on Twitter and Reddit.
www.scmp.com
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