AI-generated misinformation and viral pranks spread across social media

Social media platforms are seeing a rise in misinformation driven by AI-generated graphics and viral pranks. In Louisiana, a fake flyer styled with official Louisiana State Police and Department of Public Safety branding circulated online, falsely claiming that drivers under 5’2” would be legally required to use booster seats starting in 2026. State Police issued a statement clarifying that the information is false and was not produced by their agency.

In India, a mysterious “19-minute viral video” trend has caused significant disruption, with users speculating on the identity of individuals in the clip and targeting uninvolved influencers with false accusations. Analysts suggest the content may be AI-generated or a deepfake, noting that no concrete identities have surfaced. This follows a previous incident in Assam where an entire Instagram persona was found to be an AI-generated fabrication used to amass millions of followers.