No, the audio clip of phone conversation on ‘complete lockdown’ in India isn’t real. It’s fake

The audio is fake and is being shared with misleading claims.

Updated on: Mar 21, 2020, 16:38:10 IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By Trisha Sengupta

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An audio clip of a phone conversation between two individuals is being widely shared online. In the clip one of the people claims that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised the Indian Government to observe ‘complete lockdown’ from April 15 to June 15. The claim, however, is false and the audio clip is fake.

The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) fact checking handle took to Twitter to debunk the fake news.

“An audio clip of a #FAKE phone conversation between two individuals discussing “complete lockdown” of the country is being shared widely on #WhatsApp. The audio clip is FAKE and work of miscreants. Please do not forward it,” the agency wrote.

Prasar Bharati News Services also took to Twitter to inform people that the audio clip is fake. “An audio conversation mentioning WHO sending report to Indian govt regarding lockdown is doing rounds on Social Media. In conversation with PBNS, WHO India said, ‘This audio is FAKE,’” the agency wrote.

Yesterday, PIB debunked another coronavirus related fake claim. People shared a message claiming that Indian government is spraying medicine in the air to kill coronavirus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta
Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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