[REVISION HISTORY]

Misinformation during Nepal flooding

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-29 07:10 UTC → 2026-09-09 15:52 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.