Facebook, Twitter & HardwareZone Forum to be ‘POFMA-ed’ for Fake News of ‘S’pore COVID-19 Variant’

Nowadays, spreading misinformation online is as easy as spreading kaya on hot toast.

All you have to do is say or write something shocking, anxiety-inducing, or anything involving a supposed cover-up, and it’ll be all over social media the next day.

Especially when the fake news comes from a minister. 

Dehli Chief Minister Claimed There’s a S’pore COVID-19 Strain That Can Cause a 3rd Wave in India

On 18 May, Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal warned the Indian central government of a new COVID-19 variant found in Singapore that could result in “India’s third wave”.

He said the new strain is extremely dangerous for children and implored the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to immediately halt air travel with Singapore.

The only problem is that this strain didn’t exist.

Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) issued a swift rebuttal later that day, but it was too late.

Facebook, Twitter & HardwareZone Forum to be ‘POFMA-ed’ for Fake News of ‘S’pore COVID-19 Variant’

Due to falsehoods about the non-existent “Singapore COVID-19 strain” circulating online, MOH has instructed POFMA (Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act) to issue a general correction direction to Facebook, Twitter, and SPH Magazines.

The ministry said today (20 May) that it’s aware of a false statement circulating online by multiple media outlets and social media platforms which implies that a “previously unknown variant of COVID-19 originated in Singapore” and could or is spreading to India from Singapore.

“Facebook, Twitter and SPH Magazines are required to carry the Correction Notice to all end-users in Singapore who use Facebook, Twitter and HardwareZone.com,” it added.

No Truth to Claims of Singapore COVID-19 Strain

MOH reiterated that there is no new Singapore COVID-19 variant, nor is there evidence of any COVID-19 variant that is “extremely dangerous for children”, as the Dehli Chief Minister put it.

“The strain that is prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases detected in Singapore in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which originated from India,” it said.

“The existence and spread of the B.1.617.2 variant within India predates the detection of the variant in Singapore, and this has been publicly known and reported by various media sources from as early as 5 May 2021.”

“We advise members of the public not to speculate and/or spread unfounded rumors,” the ministry said.

To know more about why viruses mutate to different variants, watch this video to the end:

India External Affairs Minister: Such Comments Can Damage Long-standing Partnerships

Among those who sharply rebuked Mr Kerjiwal for his comments on a supposed “Singapore strain” was India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

“…irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships,” he said.

“So, let me clarify – Delhi CM does not speak for India,” he asserted.

The Indian central government has also refuted Mr Kerjiwal’s comments.

According to the Deccan Herald, New Delhi’s High Commissioner to Singapore P Kumaran was summoned yesterday to Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which made known its “strong objection” to the tweet by the Delhi Chief Minister.

In response, the High Commissioner clarified that Mr Kerjiwal had no competence to speak on COVID-19 variants or civil aviation policy.

Featured Image: Youtube (Hindustan Times)