What is the common thread in accusations against Bill Gates?

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The common thread in accusations against Bill Gates is that he is exploiting the pandemic for personal gain, either by seeking to control people or by profiting from vaccine sales.

Online conspiracy theories targeting Bill Gates have become widespread since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. These theories often manifest as doctored images and fabricated news articles, which are then disseminated across social media platforms and messaging applications in multiple languages. A prominent example includes a video viewed millions of times on YouTube, which falsely claims Gates aims to depopulate the globe by 15% through vaccinations and the implantation of microchips.
Accusations centre on exploitation and financial gain.
The core of these accusations posits that Bill Gates is leveraging the global health crisis for nefarious purposes. Specific claims suggest he is seeking to exert control over populations or generate significant profits from the development and distribution of vaccines. These narratives have gained considerable traction in the online sphere since the pandemic began, often supported by manipulated visual content and invented news reports.
Foundation's contributions contrasted with conspiracy claims.
In contrast to these theories, Bill Gates, through his eponymous foundation, has made substantial financial commitments to global health. He has pledged US$250 million to combat the pandemic, and his foundation has invested billions over two decades to improve healthcare in developing nations. Gates himself has highlighted that his foundation has provided more funding for vaccine procurement to save lives than any other organisation.
Concerns over vaccine hesitancy as a consequence.
Gates has expressed concern that the proliferation of these conspiracy theories could lead to increased vaccine hesitancy among the public. He stated that while his foundation is indeed associated with vaccines, the connection has been distorted by these unfounded claims. AFP Fact Check has actively debunked numerous rumours circulating about Gates, including those that have emerged during previous health crises, such as the 2015 Zika virus outbreak, and even outlandish claims about his personal identity.

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What is the common thread in accusations against Bill Gates?

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