Genital-Theft Rumors on Social Media Spark Deadly Mob Violence Across Africa
False rumors circulating on social media that men’s genitals vanish after a tap on the shoulder have sparked mob violence across six African countries, killing more than 80 people since October last year; videos and posts on TikTok and Facebook fueled panic from Tanzania and Zambia to Mozambique, Kenya and Malawi, with some victims lynched or burned before authorities intervened. Experts say superstition and fear, amplified by smartphones, make unverified claims seem credible, while officials warn engagement-driven content worsens the problem and campaigns to counter misinformation are under way; some health experts cite Koro syndrome as a possible explanation for the fear, but there is no medical evidence supporting the genital-loss claims.