Disinformation observatory

Disinformation Observatory

Trend Analysis & Viral Rumours

What the editorial team observes, month after month, in the messages circulating.

13 Total rumours processed
46% Debunked rumours 6
31% Out-of-context items 4
2 Audio queries received 12% reports
Verdicts delivered
  • False 6 46%
  • True 3 23%
  • Misleading 2 15%
  • Contextual 2 15%
Breakdown by language listened to
  • Français 18
  • Kiswahili 1
Most affected sectors
  • Health & Vaccines 5
  • Security & Conflicts 3
  • Economy & Taxes 2
  • General 2
  • Elections & Politics 1
Fact-checks published per month
Top viral rumours detected
  1. 1 A $5 tax on the use of WhatsApp FALSE DRC — National Lingála Estimated virality 93%
  2. 2 The polio vaccine makes children sterile in Goma FALSE Goma (North Kivu) Lingála Estimated virality 89%
  3. 3 Cholera epidemic: salt in water protects against the disease FALSE Bukavu (South Kivu) Kiswahili Estimated virality 82%
  4. 4 True, at least 1 person killed during clashes linked to a funeral in the Ebola context in Beni/Païda TRUE Beni Kiswahili Estimated virality 80%
  5. 5 No, NGO workers do not throw pills down toilets to transmit the Ebola virus FALSE DRC, Ituri, Kivu Français Estimated virality 72%
  6. 6 20,000 FC banknotes are being withdrawn from circulation FALSE DRC — National Français Estimated virality 71%
View data as a table
Breakdown of published fact-checks
SeriesCategoryNumber
VerdictFalse6
VerdictTrue3
VerdictMisleading2
VerdictContextual2
Breakdown by language listened toFrançais18
Breakdown by language listened toKiswahili1
Most affected sectorsHealth & Vaccines5
Most affected sectorsSecurity & Conflicts3
Most affected sectorsEconomy & Taxes2
Most affected sectorsGeneral2
Most affected sectorsElections & Politics1

Figures calculated from published fact-checks and requests received. Updated: 27/10/2026 09:36.