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3 clusters · 9 sources · 12 days · First seen · Last updated

Misinformation during Nepal flooding

Overview

Following devastating flash floods in the Bhotekoshi river area, misinformation has circulated on social media involving AI-generated videos and old footage. Analysis of certain clips identified visual glitches, such as people and vehicles vanishing without debris, which indicated the footage was likely AI-generated.

In response, the government of Nepal issued an urgent directive to Meta and TikTok to remove graphic imagery, AI-generated videos, and fraudulent QR codes used for fake donations. Officials met with platform representatives to demand faster action and more proactive algorithms to prevent content that misleads the public or obstructs relief efforts. Bijay Kumar Roy, coordinator of the government’s social media regulation and management task force, emphasized the need for platforms to use algorithms to automatically block graphic and false content, noting that current response times for reported content can take between 24 to 48 hours.

Further instances of misinformation have emerged, including a viral video claiming imminent ‘water havoc’ in Nepal. Investigations revealed the footage, which depicts heavy currents and submerged areas, is actually approximately two months old. While the monsoon season frequently causes flooding and landslides in hilly regions, experts clarified that this specific video is not a recent recording and cannot be used to predict future disasters.

Entities

TikTok · Bijay Kumar Roy · Tibet · Meta · Nepal Government

Timeline

  1. 4 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Nepal flood claims debunked as viral video is found to be two months old

    A viral video claiming imminent massive flooding in Nepal has been debunked as old footage from approximately two months ago being recirculated as a current event.

  2. 14 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 4 sources
    Nepal urges Meta and TikTok to remove flood-related misinformation

    Nepal has urged Meta and TikTok to immediately remove AI-generated videos, graphic content, and fraudulent donation QR codes circulating following catastrophic Bhotekoshi floods.

  3. 15 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    AI-generated videos falsely depict Nepal flooding disasters

    Fact checks reveal that viral videos depicting bridge collapses and village destruction during Nepal-Tibet flooding are AI-generated fabrications containing numerous visual glitches.

Sources

acvila30.ro · antaranews.com · dailymeezan.com · disa.org · leadstories.com · mediaindonesia.com · minaandrawos.com · samacharnama.com · uzone.id

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history