Bill Gates humorously responds to microchip conspiracy theories: ‘Why Would I Want to Track Everyone?’

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has once again found himself at the centre of bizarre conspiracy theories, particularly those linking him to the COVID-19 pandemic. These unfounded claims suggest that Gates orchestrated a plan to implant trackable microchips in people under the guise of vaccinations. During a recent interview on BBC Radio 4’s “The Life Scientific,” Gates tackled these theories with a mix of humour and genuine bewilderment.

Gates’ humorous take on conspiracy theories

Gates, known for his philanthropic efforts in global health, was amused by the idea that he would have any interest in tracking individuals. He joked, “You got to have a sense of humour,” when discussing the claim that he wants to monitor everyone’s movements. Gates further added, “When people say that I want to track everyone — why do I want to track everyone?” His lighthearted approach highlights the absurdity of the accusations, underscoring the lack of logic behind them.

In the interview, Gates recounted a real-life encounter where someone approached him on the street, accusing him of wanting to track their location. Gates responded with disbelief, saying, “I’m like ‘wow, I really don’t want to know your location.'” This anecdote illustrates how pervasive and persistent these conspiracy theories have become, even as they lack any credible evidence.

Ongoing misinformation and its consequences

While Gates has often used humour to address these wild theories, he also recognizes the serious implications of such misinformation. The conspiracy theories began circulating early in the pandemic and have had a lasting impact. In 2022, Gates took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his surprise at being the target of these baseless claims. He tweeted, “Some of it like me putting chips in arms doesn’t make sense to me — why would I want to do that?”

Beyond the humour, Gates expressed concern about the broader effects of misinformation, particularly during the pandemic. He noted that the consequences of poor information management during the crisis are still being felt today. “In terms of deaths and mental health and learning loss and loved ones who died, we’re still paying a price for not having handled that well at all,” Gates stated. His remarks emphasise the importance of combating misinformation to mitigate the harm it can cause, especially during global health crises.