Tech giant Google, which is famous for its annual spoofs, has cancelled the tradition because of the pandemic which has killed about 40 000 people worldwide.
Thailand said on Tuesday that April Fool’s Day jokes about the virus could be punished under a law carrying a sentence of up to five years in prison. In India, Maharashtra state’s cyber security unit said it would take legal action against anyone spreading fake news on April Fools’ Day. With people relying on the internet and media for vital information about coronavirus, there are fears that jokes could fan the spread of misinformation.
Google said it had suspended its annual April Fools’ tradition “out of respect for all those fighting the COVID-19 pandemic”.