Jump directly to the content

MISLEADING conspiracy theories around 5G on Facebook pose "a risk of immediate physical harm", Mark Zuckerberg has warned.

The billionaire Facebook chief says his team is working urgently to remove dangerous and deadly "fake news" posts about 5G.

Mark Zuckerberg has warned that 5G conspiracy theories could cause immediate physical harm
10
Mark Zuckerberg has warned that 5G conspiracy theories could cause immediate physical harmCredit: BBC

It comes as dozens of 5G phone masts across the UK have been attacked by arsonists in response to conspiracy theories.

Facebook is just one of many social media sites where false 5G claims are spreading – including a popular hoax theory that links the next-gen mobile internet to the spread of coronavirus.

According to Zuckerberg, hundreds of thousands of misleading posts have already been taken down.

"Things like saying that something is a proven cure for the virus when in fact it isn’t, we will take that down," Zuckerberg told the BBC.

Sheldon Fire Station recently shared an image of a burning mast in Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham
10
Sheldon Fire Station recently shared an image of a burning mast in Chelmsley Wood, BirminghamCredit: Sheldon Fire Station

"Another example which I know has been very prevalent in the UK has been 5G misinformation, which has led to some physical damage of 5G infrastructure.

"So we believe that that is leading to imminent risk of physical harm. We take down that content."

He added: "There have been hundreds of thousands of pieces of content like that."

Zuckerberg's comments echo those of UK phone networks, who have made similar warnings.

Conspiracy theorists are setting 5G phone masts alight after a bogus coronavirus theory spread – including this separate attack in recent weeks
10
Conspiracy theorists are setting 5G phone masts alight after a bogus coronavirus theory spread – including this separate attack in recent weeksCredit: SnapperSK

Just last month, EE told The Sun that 5G conspiracy theorists pose a "risk to human life" by burning down phone masts.

"Mindless attacks on key workers and deliberately removing mobile signal is a reckless, harmful and dangerous thing to do," an EE spokesperson said, speaking to The Sun.

"And aside from the obvious risk to our colleagues could have serious consequences, from preventing a call reaching the ambulance service, to stopping families being able to talk to each other.

"These senseless crimes are creating unnecessary risk to human life, both to those that live in the areas being targeted and to the emergency services working to contain the situation."

Last month, a Vodafone mast serving Birmingham's Nightingale hospital was damaged in an attack.

This mast was set alight in Birmingham, UK
10
This mast was set alight in Birmingham, UKCredit: SnapperSK

It means vital phone signals are being disrupted at a time when connectivity is more important than ever.

Dozens of masts up and down the UK have been damaged by gullible criminals – including at least 23 EE sites.

Researchers recently warned that politicians, celebrities and influencers had all been caught up in spreading fake coronavirus claims online.

What is 5G, and is it safe?

Here's what you need to know...

  • Just like 4G (and 3G before that), 5G is simply a new generation of mobile internet
  • Phone networks have tweaked the technology to deliver faster speeds – and have dubbed it the "5th generation", or 5
  • ll signals fall on the electromagnetic spectrum – from radio waves, to X-rays, and even visible light
  • Phone networks use microwaves of a very specific frequency to deliver the internet to your iPhone or Android mobile
  • This was true of 3G and 4G, and it's still true with 5G
  • In the UK, 4G signals generally sit between 800MHz and 2.6GHz on the electromagnetic spectrum
  • 5G is a little higher at 3.4GHz to 3.6GHz, but that's tiny when you consider that microwaves go up to 300GHz
  • And visible light comes in at a range of around 430THz to 770THz
  • That's more than a thousand times higher than the maximum microwave – and 100,000 higher than 5G
  • Dangerous radiation, like UV rays, X-rays and gamma rays are also far higher up the spectrum still
  • Online conspiracy theorists are claiming that 5G can cause harm
  • Early theories suggested 5G could lead to cancer – and now crackpots have linked it to coronavirus too
  • But it's simply impossible for 5G to cause any of these problems
  • Radiation damages cells by breaking them apart, but 5G microwaves simply lack the power to do this
  • 5G is a low-frequency radiation, far below infrared and visible light
  • In fact, it's essential that 5G is low-frequency, because higher frequencies are less useful at delivering mobile signals over large areas
  • We know that this level of radiation is safe, because otherwise the visible light from our televisions would have killed us a long time ago

A number of celebs have been caught up in fake coronavirus news scandals recently.

Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has also repeatedly dismissed the seriousness of the coronavirus crisis, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary.

Zombieland star Woody Harrelson has been warning his Instagram followers about the effects of 5G and shared a video labelled “Meanwhile the Chinese are bringing 5g antennas down”.

Zombieland star Woody Harrelson has been warning his Instagram followers about the effects of 5G
10
Zombieland star Woody Harrelson has been warning his Instagram followers about the effects of 5GCredit: Getty
Singer MIA has falsely linked 5G to coronavirus symptoms
10
Singer MIA has falsely linked 5G to coronavirus symptomsCredit: AFP / Getty Images

His followers were quick to point out that the footage was from an old documentary filmed during protests in Hong Kong and that people were actually pulling down facial recognition cameras.

Others slammed him for his irresponsible message: “Nooooooo Woody, not you! Spreading things like this is dangerous,” said follower lise.km.

Singer MIA posted a series of tweets urged the Government to "turn off" 5G until after the pandemic.

And the star linked coronavirus symptoms to 5G towers.

Celebs have been slammed for sharing the conspiracy theory, including Brits Jason Gardiner and Callum Best, who posted similar claims that 5G can impact the immune system.

Boxer Amir Khan also released a series of bizarre videos where he blames the coronavirus on the building of “5G towers”.

Legendary Boxer Amir Khan was slammed for spreading 5G coronavirus conspiracy theories
10
Legendary Boxer Amir Khan was slammed for spreading 5G coronavirus conspiracy theories

In the clips, Khan admits to “watching a lot of videos and stuff” and says that the new tech could “make things bad”.

Recently, Khan offered the NHS the use of his four-storey wedding venue to help treat patients during the pandemic.

TV icon Amanda Holden also stirred controversy after tweeting a link to a petition to ban 5G.

But publicists for the Britain's Got Talent star later said that it was an accident – and that she doesn't believe in 5G conspiracies.

And Eamonn Holmes was forced to "clear up" his comments on 5G conspiracy theoriesafter This Morning received 419 Ofcom complains.

The 60-year-old host has now insisted he doesn't believe the theory that 5G has caused coronavirus is valid, and was simply "looking for answers".

Crackpot arsonists have torched a number of 5G phone masts in the UK in response to online conspiracy theories.

The first fire took place in Birmingham, but several attacks on 5G towers quickly followed up and down the country.

The theory originated last month after a video filmed at a US health conference claimed Africa was not as affected by the disease because it is "not a 5G region".

5G is a very low-frequency form of radiation – far below visible light and infrared
10
5G is a very low-frequency form of radiation – far below visible light and infraredCredit: The Sun

The theory was debunked further when the World Health Organisation confirmed there were thousands of Covid-19 cases in Africa.

"Arsonists, please think about what you are doing and stop. Imagine if it were your mum or dad, your gran or grandad in hospital," said Vodafone's Nick Jeffery.

"Imagine not being able to see or hear them one last time. All because you’ve swallowed a dangerous lie."

"There is absolutely no link between 5G and coronavirus. There is no science based evidence 5G is harmful to human health."

A spokesperson from the UK's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: "We have received several reports of criminal damage to phone masts and abuse of telecoms engineers apparently inspired by crackpot conspiracy theories circulating online.

"Those responsible for criminal acts will face the full force of the law.

"We must also see social media companies acting responsibly and taking much swifter action to stop nonsense spreading on their platforms, which encourages such acts."

10
10

EE told The Sun that it's increasing security at high-risk sites.

The network's guard patrols are being supplied with body cameras, and have been instructed to alert local police regarding any suspicious activity.

“Abuse towards our staff is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated," EE added.

"We’re introducing measures to try to ensure our engineers can continue their critical work, at a time when people need more than ever to stay connected to each other.

Could 5G, which has gone live in Britain and is already delivering ultra-fast internet speeds to smartphones, be harmful?

In other news, find out why 5G really is safe.

These 5G maps reveal if the super-fast internet is in your area.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

And we share the truth about 5G frequency, radiation and microwaves.


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at tech@the-sun.co.uk


Topics