Fedpol investigates fake government energy poster campaign
This is a fake poster by the government encouraging people to snitch on their neighbours if they heat their homes above 19 degrees celsius.
Twitter/@marcowenjones
The Swiss Federal Office of Police (Fedpol) has launched an investigation into a fake government poster campaign encouraging people to report their neighbours if they heat their homes above a certain temperature. Images of the fake posters are believed to have started circulating on social networks through Russian channels.
This content was published on
2 minutes
RSI/SRF/jdp
Español
es
La Fedpol investiga exhortos de denuncias atribuidos falsamente al Gobierno suizo
The poster, which bears the official federal government logo and shows a young woman on the phone, reads: “Does your neighbour heat their home over 19 degrees Celsius? Let us know.”
It includes the official telephone number of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, with a promise of a CHF200 ($208) reward.
More
More
Fact check: will the Swiss be jailed for heating their homes above 19°C?
This content was published on
A rumour is circulating abroad that people in Switzerland will be fined – and even jailed – if they set their thermostat above 19°C.
Swiss public television RSIExternal link reported that Fedpol has launched an investigation into the fake poster after receiving complaints about the misuse of the federal government logo.
The federal energy office has also posted a note on its website confirming that the federal government has nothing to do with the posters. “There are neither such posters from the federal government nor corresponding calls, it is obviously a matter of manipulation,” it said.
Meanwhile, social media users including several well-known “debunkers” have been trying to identify the origins of the poster. Some suspect it started circulating by Russian channels via the Telegram chat service.
External Content
Thread 1] Quick thread on some fake news being shared. Some of you may have seen this poster being shared, including by @georgegallowayExternal link. A poster allegedly from Switzerland with a caption stating that there is a 200 francs reward for people who 'snitch' on their neighbours who pic.twitter.com/inZDaqIqfMExternal link
As Reuters reported, Marc Owen Jones, an associate professor at Hamad bin Khalifa University in Qatar, suspects that it could have links to Russian propaganda seeking to spread fears about rising energy costs following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
“It’s a photoshopped image, and quite a good one,” Jones, who works on how social media has been abused to spread disinformation, tweeted.
According to RSI, Belarus news agency Belta reported on the fake government appeal on its Telegram channel on September 10.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
Swiss companies maintain financial stability amid European struggles
This content was published on
Swiss companies continue to demonstrate financial robustness compared to their European counterparts, although corporate restructuring activities have increased in recent months.
This content was published on
Unknown assailants detonated an ATM in canton Vaud early Sunday morning, causing extensive damage to the building. The perpetrators fled the scene and remain at large.
Kudelski Group to sell Skidata division to Assa Abloy
This content was published on
The Kudelski Group is selling its Skidata division to the Swedish manufacturer of locking and security systems Assa Abloy.
Tragic weekend in Swiss waters: three bodies recovered
This content was published on
Swiss authorities recovered three bodies from local waters over the weekend, with one incident occurring in Zurich and two in Zug.
Lake Parade in Geneva attracts over 100,000 people
This content was published on
The 22nd Lake Parade and the Lake Sensation in Geneva attracted over 100,000 people in summery weather on Saturday. There were no major incidents at either event.
Graubünden storm causes significant economic damage, prompting support measures
This content was published on
The recent storm in Misox, in canton Graubünden, has resulted in severe economic damage, affecting SMEs, tourism, and agricultural land.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland braces for winter energy crunch
This content was published on
Explainer: why is there a risk of an energy shortage this winter? What is Switzerland doing to reduce gas and electricity consumption?
Swiss population urged to save energy to mitigate winter shortages
This content was published on
The Swiss government has appealed to the population to save on household energy ahead of anticipated electricity and gas shortages this winter.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.