It's not just the spread of novel coronavirus that's worrying, misinformation has been spreading like wildfire on social media across the world too.
Locally, four false claims have been issued with the correction notice by the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) Office such as this:
And there are many other untrue claims about the novel coronavirus circulating that you should take note of.
Here are some examples of fake news circulating around the world following the coronavirus outbreak:
Drinking bleach to cure the coronavirus
In the United States (U.S.), conspiracy theorists have advised Americans to consume a bleach solution, made of chlorine dioxide, according to Business Insider.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has debunked the false claim and warned that consuming industrial bleach solution could have serious consequences, such as liver failure and extremely low blood pressure.
FDA also added that there is no known cure for the virus yet.
Photo via U.S. Food and Drug Administration
5G damages immune systems
Photo via Stynes Robert/Facebook
In the United Kingdom, a Facebook post by Stynes Robert made a false claim that the introduction of 5G trials in Wuhan is linked to the coronavirus.
According to Full Fact, an independent fact-checking charity, 5G trials were rolled out in other large Chinese cities.
They added that the radio waves in 5G do not damage human DNA and they are within the International Commission's guidelines on Non-Ionising Radiation, reported Full Fact.
Corona-beer virus
The search for "Corona beer virus" has increased over the past few weeks as some might have misassociated the lager with the virus.
The coronavirus is named as such because of its surface is covered with “crown”-like spikes.
It has nothing to do with Corona beer.
'Miracle' prevention methods or cures
Some prominent anti-vaccination advocates and homeopathy groups have been sharing social media posts on how vitamin C, oregano oil or saltwater can prevent or cure the coronavirus.
One example is Larry Cook, who took to a Facebook video to promote vitamin C to prevent coronavirus.
In a post by New Scientist, it was reported that it would take up to a year to develop a vaccine to prevent the spread of the infection.
Photo by Larry Cook/Facebook
Bioweapon conspiracy theories
While the novel coronavirus has been reported to come from a wet market in Wuhan, there are also theories that the virus was a bioweapon which experts told the Washington Post that there is no proof to support it.
And of course, such speculations aren't helpful to the situation at all.
Avoid Chinese products or places with Chinese people
In Australia, fake health advisories have been taken off social media for asking people to avoid suburbs with Chinese residents.
Member of Parliament of Brisbane, Duncan Pegg, addressed a fake media release which asked people to stay away from "all populated areas with Chinese nationals of ratio of 1 to 3 non-Chinese Australians".
In another tweet, childcare centres spread fake health advisories on train stations to avoid due to the spread of the coronavirus and food products linked to the spread of the virus.
Photo via Ben MC/Twitter
According to a Facebook post by the New South Wales health department, the government authority clarified that “NSW Health would like to assure the community that the locations mentioned in this post pose no risk to visitors, and there have been no ‘positive readings’ at train stations.”
Facebook & Twitter act on misinformation about the coronavirus
Those examples are why social media giants have started taking action to stop the spread of misinformation by removing such content on their platforms.
An announcement on Jan. 30 by Facebook's Head of Health, Kang-Xin Jin, said that the tech giant will be working on removing content on their platform that contains fake claims or conspiracy theories about the novel coronavirus.
They will be working closely with global health organisations and local health authorities who will help to flag false claims about the virus.
Jin mentioned that Facebook will be focusing on claims that promote false cures or prevention methods as such content could cause physical harm.
One example that was mentioned was a claim that drinking bleach cures the coronavirus.
On Instagram, hashtags that are used to spread misinformation will be blocked or restricted.
In addition to screening posts, Jin mentioned that Facebook will help prioritise messages from World Health Organisation (WHO) by placing these messages at the top of users' newsfeed on Facebook.
In addition, Facebook will provide free advertising credits to health organisations to run coronavirus education campaigns on Facebook and Instagram.
Similarly, Twitter has adjusted its search prompt to feature authoritative health sources more prominently.
Twitter has also removed an account for doxxing a Chinese scientist and claiming that the coronavirus was a bioweapon without any concrete evidence.
Here's what you can do to protect yourself against the virus
Where to get the latest updates
Gov.sg WhatsApp service (for official alerts)
Ministry of Health website
https://www.moh.gov.sg/2019-ncov-wuhan
You can also follow us on telegram to get the latest updates:
Top photos via Austin Distel/Unsplash and Stynes Robert/Facebook