"False Rumors of '5G Spreading COVID-19'... Repeated Arson Attacks on Base Stations in the UK"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] "5G is spreading the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)." In the UK, fake news linking 5G mobile communication and COVID-19 has been spreading rapidly, leading to arson incidents at various base stations. The UK government immediately moved to dispel the rumors, calling them "absurd." YouTube also removed videos containing related content.

According to The Guardian and BBC on the 5th (local time), multiple arson incidents occurred consecutively at base stations in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Melling over the past weekend. This was due to rumors spreading online since March claiming that "5G frequencies spread COVID-19" and "living near 5G base stations increases the likelihood of contracting COVID-19."

BBC reported, "The perpetrators or causes of the arson incidents are unclear, but they appear to be people who believe in conspiracy theories linking 5G and COVID-19," adding, "In fact, these individuals do not even know what 5G equipment is and set fires at locations where installation was not confirmed." In the case of BT, the UK's largest telecommunications company, its base stations were targeted in the arson, but it was confirmed that 5G equipment had not been installed there.

The UK government immediately took action to quell the situation. Michael Gove, the UK Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, expressed concern on the day, calling it "dangerous and absurd."

Criticism has been raised that deliberately damaging the national communication network with fake news is inappropriate, especially when citizens practicing social distancing due to the COVID-19 spread, as well as medical staff, rely on communication services such as the internet. Some even find it ridiculous that such fake news is spreading mainly in the UK, where 5G service has not yet been fully activated.

In a previously circulated video, a YouTuber claiming to be a former executive in the mobile communication industry asserted, "Mobile technology can kill people," and "COVID-19 is being used to hide this by spreading the virus." The video has since been deleted.

As the controversy grew, YouTube decided to remove videos containing conspiracy theories linking COVID-19 and 5G and exclude them from ad revenue eligibility. However, The Guardian pointed out that uploading related videos is still possible.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.