Australian telecommunications leader Telstra has warned that foreign actors are spreading misinformation about the health risks of 5G technology.
5G promises significant economic benefits, and countries that lead in its deployment stand to gain as first movers. That creates incentives for some actors to slow others’ progress, making the technology a geopolitical and economic target for disinformation campaigns.
Although misinformation is not new, it has gained intense attention recently, driven in part by allegations that it has been used to influence elections and foster social unrest. Social media platforms have amplified the speed and reach of false or misleading claims.
A parliamentary committee in Australia investigating 5G heard from Labor MP Ed Husic, who said politicians have been “bombarded” with public concerns about the technology. The inquiry received more than 200 submissions from members of the public asserting that 5G poses risks to health.
Mike Wood, Telstra’s principal for electromagnetic energy strategy, governance and risk, also gave evidence to the committee. Representing an operator with a clear interest in the matter, Wood said people were not heeding Telstra’s reassurances that research demonstrates 5G does not harm human health.
Russia’s so-called “troll farms” have frequently been cited as a source of coordinated misinformation. In its submission to the inquiry, Telstra referred to reporting that state broadcaster RT and other outlets have circulated misleading health claims about the latest generation of mobile networks.
“There is evidence to suggest that messaging in these campaigns is being influenced by foreign actors,” Telstra said in its submission.
Telstra is urging the government to run a public education campaign to counter misinformation and ease fears about 5G. Wood said Telstra will continue its own public information efforts, but believes a proactive campaign led by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) would carry greater public trust and reach.
Wood also proposed targeted guidance for general practitioners, noting that people often turn to their family doctors for advice. “We think medical professionals would benefit greatly if there was better information available to GPs,” he told the committee.
Telstra reported that its 5G testing, conducted since 2016, measured electromagnetic energy (EME) levels around 1,000 times lower than ARPANSA’s public safety limit. Similar EME levels were observed for 4G, 3G, Wi‑Fi and common household devices such as baby monitors and walkie-talkies.
ARPANSA told the committee: “Current research indicates that there is no established evidence for health effects from radio waves used in mobile telecommunications. This includes the upcoming rollout of the 5G network.”
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