YouTube vows to delete ‘5G caused coronavirus’ conspiracy theory videos after they racked up MILLIONS of views
YOUTUBE has said it will be reducing the number of recommended videos spreading a conspiracy theory that 5G caused the Covid-19 pandemic.
The concept is thought to have gained popularity last month when a YouTube video supporting the claims was heavily criticised for spreading bogus information.
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According to , a YouTube spokesperson told the publication: "We also have clear policies that prohibit videos promoting medically unsubstantiated methods to prevent the coronavirus in place of seeking medical treatment, and we quickly remove videos violating these policies when flagged to us.
"We have also begun reducing recommendations of borderline content such as conspiracy theories related to 5G and coronavirus, that could misinform users in harmful ways."
The video site may still allow "borderline content" that doesn't mention the coronavirus.
This news comes after at least seven cell towers have been set on fire in the UK.
One of the towers set on fire wasn't actually a 5G mast.
The conspiracy theory that 5G is linked to the coronavirus appeared to first spread on YouTube before circulating on WhatsApp.
Last month, a YouTube video supporting the claims gained popularity.
The video was filmed at a US health conference.
It shows a presentation by Dr. Thomas Cowan and was published by the account Parents for Healthcare Rights.
During his presentation Cowan claims that Africa was not as affected by the coronavirus outbreak because it is "not a 5G region".
However, since the video was published the World Health Organization has confirmed thousands of Covid-19 cases in Africa.
Now, Twitter is full of people highlighting that the 5G theory is spreading via a lengthy WhatsApp voice note.
What is 5G?
Here's what you need to know...
- The term 5G stands for 5th-generation, and is simply the next "version" of mobile phone networks.
- The world's network operators have settled on a new method of delivering mobile internet to your phone, making it possible to offer far higher download speeds.
- Early figures suggest you'll be able to download 4K movies in a matter of seconds, and buffering video will be a thing of the past.
- But 5G also promises low "latency" – the physical delay in transmitting data – which is a major boon for gamers, who desperately need their online actions to be sent and received as quickly as possible.
- EE is first across the line in the UK, with 5G live in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, Birmingham or Manchester.
- The good news is that EE plans to roll out 5G in a further 10 cities by the end of 2019: Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds, Hull, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Coventry and Bristol.
- Vodafone has also switched on 5G in seven cities: Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, and London.
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In other news, Google Maps will be releasing ‘mobility reports’ showing hotspots where people are still going during lockdowns.
Your internet may be getting slower as the coronavirus outbreak causes a huge surge in web traffic.
And, social media platforms have been inundated with bots trying to spread fake coronavirus news.
Have you spotted any reports linking coronavirus to 5G? Let us know in the comments...
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