Anti-5G stories about the alleged harmful effects of 5G technology engaged social media users more than pro-5G news about infrastructure developments, according to BuzzSumo, a social media listening tool.

The DFRLab’s findings suggested that sensational stories based on misrepresented or unverifiable scientific facts against 5G drive more engagement on social media. In recent years, conspiracy theorists and disinformation actors, most notably Kremlin-owned propaganda outlet RT, have disseminated unsubstantiated and sensational claims of the health and environmental risks of 5G technology. IT professionals and public health officials have repeatedly dismissed these claims as fearmongering, but conspiracies about 5G continue to proliferate.

Analysis

The DFRLab examined BuzzSumo results for the top five most engaged-with stories on social media about 5G every month from September 1, 2018, to August 31, 2019. The analysis paid attention to the attitude to 5G the headlines presented, categorizing them as either anti, neutral, or pro toward 5G technology (excluding its political implications). There were no engaged-with stories that condemned a pro- or anti-5G narrative. There were also no engaged-with stories that would classify as satire or analysis about 5G discussion online. The analysis also paid attention to the language of the stories, total engagement according to BuzzSumo, and the websites that published the stories.

The monthly top five most shared articles on social media during the period of analysis were mostly opposing 5G. The only exception was June 2019, during which the top shared stories on social media concerned Singapore’s development of a 5G ecosystem and Russia’s signing of a deal with China’s Huawei to develop 5G mobile networks.