to COVID-19. Older variations were circulating
before that, mostly revolving around cellphone
radiation causing cancer, spreading on Reddit
forums, Facebook pages and YouTube channels.
Even with daily wireless use among vast majority
of adults, the National Cancer Institute has not
seen an increase in brain tumors.
The theories gained momentum in 2019 from
Russian state media outlets, which helped
push them into U.S. domestic conversation,
disinformation experts say.
Ryan Fox, who tracks disinformation as chief
innovation officer at AI company Yonder, said he
noticed an abnormal spike last year in mentions
around 5G across Russian state media, with
most of the narratives playing off people’s fears
around 5G and whether it could cause cancer.
“Were they the loudest voice at that time and
did they amplify this conspiracy enough that it
helped fuel its long-term success? Yes,” he said.
The conspiracy theories have also been elevated
by celebrities including actor Woody Harrelson
who shared a video claiming people in China
were taking down a 5G tower. It was actually
a Hong Kong “smart lamppost” cut down by
pro-democracy protesters in August over China
surveillance fears. British TV host Eamonn
Holmes gave credence to the theories on a talk
show, drawing a rebuke from regulators.
“I want to be very clear here,” European
Commission spokesman Johannes Bahrke said
Friday, as the arson toll rose daily. “There is no
geographic or any other correlation between
the deployment of 5G and the outbreak of
the virus.”