Claim:
A viral video suggests that a global internet shutdown will occur on January 16, 2025, due to sharks chewing through undersea cables, as predicted in an alleged episode of The Simpsons. The video shows widespread disruptions across the U.S., including people unable to use computers, phones, or make payments, with employees at Apple stores writing orders manually.
Verdict:
Fake. The viral video is fabricated, and no such Simpsons episode exists.
The Claim:
A video circulating online claims that a Simpsons episode predicted a global internet shutdown on January 16, 2025. The supposed episode depicts sharks gnawing through undersea cables, causing total internet disruption across the U.S. The scenario suggests that people won’t be able to use their phones, computers, or credit cards, and Apple store employees will be forced to write orders manually. The video ends with a U.S. president addressing the outage, and all characters being affected except Bart Simpson, who escapes the ordeal because he doesn’t have homework.
Fact-Check Analysis:
- No Such Simpsons Episode Exists:
The video is a false creation, as there is no Simpsons episode that features a shark-induced global internet blackout. The viral clip was likely fabricated using AI-generated video tools, stitching together random scenes to create a fake storyline. - The Use of The Simpsons Prophecy Theme:
While The Simpsons is often cited for seemingly predicting future events (e.g., Donald Trump’s presidency, the pandemic), this claim does not hold up under scrutiny. The video is not an actual episode of the show, nor is there any evidence to suggest such a prediction was made. - Sharks and Undersea Cable Damage:
While sharks and other marine life have caused damage to undersea cables, such incidents rarely result in global internet outages. The tech industry has taken significant steps to prevent such damage, including wrapping undersea cables in durable materials like Kevlar. The possibility of a “mega shark” causing a global internet disruption is far-fetched and not grounded in reality. - How Undersea Cables Are Protected:
Undersea cables are critical for global internet connectivity, and measures are in place to protect them from environmental damage, including attacks from sea creatures. Even if damage does occur, backup systems and rerouting technology typically ensure that internet service remains uninterrupted.
Context:
The video’s popularity is largely due to the humorous and absurd nature of the claim. It has gained over 5.6 million views, with many social media users making light of the idea, joking about returning to the “80s” or taking a break from work. Some users pointed out the implausibility of the scenario, recognizing that the video is fake and not based on any factual information.
Conclusion:
The viral video claiming a global internet outage caused by sharks chewing through undersea cables is completely fabricated. There is no such episode of The Simpsons, and the scenario depicted is not plausible. While undersea cables have been damaged by marine life, the likelihood of a global internet blackout due to this is minimal, thanks to modern protections in place.
Verdict: Fake