Twitter to remove misleading tweets linking COVID-19 to 5G

Twitter, microblogging giant, says it would start taking down misleading tweets linking the introduction of 5G technology to the coronavirus pandemic.

The microblogging platform, in a blog post shared via its social media page on Wednesday, said the measure has become imperative to checkmate spread of unsubstantiated claims making the rounds which can incite people.

“We have broadened our guidance on unverified claims that incite people to engage in harmful activity, could lead to the destruction or damage of critical 5G infrastructure, or could lead to widespread panic, social unrest, or large-scale disorder,” it wrote.

We have broadened our guidance on unverified claims that incite people to engage in harmful activity, could lead to the destruction or damage of critical 5G infrastructure, or could lead to widespread panic, social unrest, or large-scale disorder.

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— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) April 22, 2020

The development comes against the backdrop of the microblogging platform’s efforts to rid manipulative content to curb spread of false information.

It also comes on the heels of several unverified conspiracy theories claiming the 5G technology was the cause of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Chris Oyakhilome, founder and president of LoveWorld Incorporated better known as Christ Embassy, had earlier linked 5G to COVID-19 — although he would later come out to change his stand on the issue.

Amid the dusts, Matthew Ashimolowo, senior pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) in London, had called out pastors linking 5G to the novel disease, noting he was disappointed at them.

TheCable had also carried out a fact-check on the claims attributing the novel virus to the introduction of 5G network.