Here's what we know about the bizarre coronavirus conspiracy theory that led to people setting fire to 5G masts
Arsonists in the UK have been destroying 5G phone masts, apparently spurred on by a coronavirus conspiracy theory.A bizarre new conspiracy theory links new 5G technology, which will increase mobile connectivity speeds, with the coronavirus outbreak.
The baseless theory has been circulating on social media since at least January but appears to have picked up steam during the first week of April.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more storiesA bizarre conspiracy linking 5G and coronavirus has taken hold in the UK and being peddled by conspiracy theorists and celebrities on social media.
The conspiracy theory and its various offshoots are baseless but have led to real-world harm, with several arson attacks thought to have been perpetrated on 5G masts around the country.According to UK fact-checking website Full Fact, a version of the theory appeared on Facebook by late January. The post rested on the pre-existing conspiracy theory that 5G suppresses people's immune systems. It was posted to an anti-5G Facebook group, and was subsequently marked by Facebook as misinformation. According to Facebook, the post had just over 300 shares.
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