Fake news alert: Taiwan fights disinformation as COVID surges

Researchers say China is behind much of the disinformation, which authorities worry will put lives at risk.

Taipei, Taiwan – Rinsing your mouth with hot water for 30 minutes and swallowing will allow your stomach acid to kill COVID-19. Taking a hot bath regularly will also prevent you from getting the virus. These are just some of the pieces of advice given in a seven-minute audio clip of a woman claiming to be Taiwanese legislator Tsai Pi-ru circulating on the social messaging app LINE over the past week. It comes with the accompanying note in traditional Chinese: “Very important! Listen to the whole thing! It’s Tsai Pi-ru sharing (information), I listened to it twice, for your reference.”