This is exactly what I have thought.
This would go along with the Blasey testimony re: hypnotism of fake reality, the Chinese chip story, social media manipulation of thoughts, xbox game manipulation, etc. All the things we've been learning about over the past year.
Also, in 1981 the film "Looker" came out. Written by Michael Crichton, is is about the implantation of hypnotic mind manipulation software into commercials.
It would certainly explain why people have turned into mindless zombies holding their phones all the time.