FAKE NEWS: The world occult is planning to microchip children

The World Economic Forum plans to implant microchips to control children under the pretext of solving medical problems, according to a false narrative that also appeared in Romania. The narrative is typical of older conspiracy theories.

NEWS: “Those who don't believe in God, read the lines below and think how similar the future they are preparing for us is to the one in the Apocalypse of St. John the Theologian and see if chipping is just a conspiracy theory! And for those who don't read such long articles, watch at least the 1.37-minute video at the end! […] Trade shows boast augmented reality (AR) glasses that show technicians where a particular screw should go. Your own phone gives you real-time fitness information or tells you about the latest fads. “Augmentation can be defined as the extension of rehabilitation where technological aids such as glasses, cochlear implants or prosthetics are designed to restore a lost or impaired function. Add it to completely healthy individuals and such technology can augment. Night goggles, exoskeletons and brain-computer interfaces build up the picture. The augmenting technology will help in all stages of life: children in a learning environment, professionals at work and ambitious senior citizens. There are many possibilities”.

NARRATIVES: 1. The “World Occult” is preparing the ground to implant microchips in children's bodies, in order to control their minds. 2. Under the guise of technological progress, attempts are being made to turn humans into controllable robots.

LOCAL CONTEXT/ETHOS: The World Economic Forum published on its website an editorial by the CEO and researcher of the Holst Center in Eindhoven, Netherlands, who explains why advanced technology is needed to replace traditional medication for more effective treatments .

The portal warns, though, that the article “has been intentionally misrepresented on sites that spread false information”. Also, the author recommends a careful reading of the arguments presented, in order to avoid any misrepresenting.

PURPOSE: To mislead the public opinion into believing that advanced technology in the field of medicine is aimed at having people controlled by occult forces.

WHY THE NARRATIVES ARE FALSE: The idea of a ”world occult”  that seeks to gain control over the humankind or is already guiding it from behind can be found in many conspiracy theories, including the one about the Davos Economic Forum, which, for some, is that alleged occult. 

Various conservative groups believe that the so-called “world occult” wants to control humanity by driving it away from the Church. Many of them have been maintained, in recent years, by Russia through the Russian oligarch and banker Konstantin Malofeev,, currently on the black list  of sanctions imposed by the US and the EU for involvement in the war in Ukraine.

Malofeev is controlling the Russian conservative movement and the propaganda actions along this hard-liner segment. He is the sponsor of several foundations and media outlets that promote conservative themes, and supports radical and anti-vax movements.  

In order to increase the emotional impact, those who are spreading such fake news also resort to emotional factors that involve children. During the Covid-19 pandemic , 66% of Romanians  believed the conspiracy theories promoting the link between the Covid-19 pandemic and the “world occult”.

In fact, the article in question talks about the technological advance that can now be used to treat serious diseases, without requiring the consumption of pills, or to prevent a series of allergies that can be fatal for some people. The author speaks of certain devices, as hearing devices were in the past for the hearing impaired.She also explains that the gadgets that monitor, for example, the heart rate and pulse, have become normal accessories today. The author also talks about these chips in children for safety reasons and explains that ethical arguments, and not necessarily technological capabilities, must be the basis of such decisions. Therefore, it expresses a medical point of view and emphasizes the need for increased safety. Moreover, the portal of the World Economic Forum  reads that it takes no responsibility for the editorial content and the opinions expressed are the author’s, while the portal Activenews.ro uses a misleading title that directly says that “The World Economic Forum supports the microchipping of CHILDREN”, after which it brings religious and emotional arguments by mentioning the monk Iustin Pârvu and his prophecies.GRAIN OF TRUTH: There are technologies that allow the implantation of chips in the human body, but only with the consent of the people concerned, most often for medical purposes.