When it comes to technology, myths abound. Mobile networks are no exception. And it’s no surprise. Nearly everyone has a smartphone nowadays, but these devices have become so intuitive that most people use them daily without really understanding how they work. The downside: when people share misinformation about tech, you may not be sure what’s fact and what’s fiction. Here are three commonly circulated myths about mobile networks.
Myth 1: Is 5G bad for your health?
5G mobile networks provide a level of connectivity that’s way faster and more reliable than anything that came before. But ever since 5G was announced back in the late 2010s, conspiracy theories have been popping up constantly. Among the most common is the claim that 5G damages your DNA.
Busted: According to the World Health Organisation, numerous scientific studies have investigated this claim and found that 5G does not damage people’s DNA. A study published in May of this year found that gene expression and DNA methylation were statistically unchanged after exposure to 5G, even at 10 times the recommended exposure limit, and included controls for temperature. “These data strongly support the assessment that there is no evidence for exposure-induced damage to human skin cells,” said the authors.
Myth 2: Is mobile data always more expensive than WiFi?
It’s often assumed that mobile data costs more than WiFi, possibly because you can see your mobile data decreasing as you use it.
Busted: In reality, it all depends. There are many options available for both mobile network bundles and WiFi. So, you need to consider factors like how much data you use, what you use it for, and where you use it. If you’re not engaging in high data consumption activities like gaming or daily HD series bingeing, mobile data could make more sense. On the VodaPay app, you can get once-off bundles of several GB, valid for 30 days, for less than the cost of a monthly fibre subscription. You can use your mobile data anywhere, not just at home, and if cash is tight one month, simply buy a cheaper bundle – you’re not locked into a monthly payment.
Myth 3: Do mobile networks listen to your conversations?
One minute you’re chatting to your friend about sneakers, the next minute, sneaker ads are popping up on your feeds. Was your mobile network listening?
Busted: Mobile networks like Vodacom are governed by POPIA and don’t listen to your conversations, but certain apps might. If you use a voice assistant like Siri or Google Assistant, it is always waiting for you to say, “Hey Siri” or “Ok Google”. Other apps with voice-activation may also use your microphone (Google Maps, for instance). If that creeps you out, take a look at the Ts and Cs to find out what data these apps collect and how they use it. At some point, you would have permitted them to access your microphone – you can turn those permissions off in your settings at any time.
Misinformation is everywhere, and the more sensational the claim, the more likely people are to share it. Before you believe a myth about mobile networks or other technology, do some research first.
