March 28, 2003
SMS spread in Asia on pneumonia outbreak
According to an article in C/Net Asia, Asians are spreading SMS messages related to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which manifest's as a pneumonia-like illness. Most of them are hoaxes, such as: "To curb the spread of SARS, all offices will be closed from Friday April 28 until further notice.--Minister of Health".
But more seriously, financial institutions in Singapore are accusing their competitors of sending out SARS rumours to hurt their business. "According to the Association of Banks, there were SMS and email messages alleging there were SARS-infected staff not only at DBS and POSB, but also at Bank of America, HSBC, and UOB", reports Channel News Asia
Citizens are also protesting the public health policy by SMS, involving the shutting down of pre-schools to junior colleges and are sending SMS messages offering traditional Asian remedies for the deadly virus.
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