#FactCheck- AI-Generated Video Falsely Claims Free Mobile Phones for Ration Card Holders
Executive Summary
A video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being widely shared on social media, in which he appears to announce that all ration card holders will receive free mobile phones, provided no member of their family is a government employee. However, research by the CyberPeace has found this claim to be false. Our research reveals that the viral video is AI-generated and does not reflect any real announcement.
Claim:
An Instagram user shared the viral video with the caption, “If you have a ration card, you will get a free mobile phone.”
- Post link: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWqDKWxy6lJ/
- Archived link: https://archive.ph/wip/dmpIf
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we first conducted a keyword-based search on Google. However, we did not find any credible media reports supporting such an announcement, raising doubts about the authenticity of the video. We then checked the official government welfare schemes portal, myscheme.gov.in, which provides verified information about central government schemes. No such scheme offering free mobile phones to ration card holders was found on the platform.
Conclusion
Our research confirms that the viral video is fake and AI-generated. There is no official announcement or credible report suggesting that ration card holders will receive free mobile phones under any government scheme. The video has been digitally manipulated using artificial intelligence and is being circulated with a misleading claim. This serves as another example of how AI-generated content can be used to spread misinformation.
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Executive Summary
Amid reports of a two-week ceasefire announced on April 8, 2026, between the United States and Iran, and claims that Pakistan is facilitating peace talks between the two nations, a video showing leaders of Pakistan and Iran meeting has gone viral on social media. The video is being shared with the claim that Pakistani leaders received a grand welcome upon arriving in Iran for the April 11, 2026 talks. However, an research by the CyberPeace found the claim to be misleading. The viral video is not recent but dates back to September 2025.
Claim
An X (formerly Twitter) user shared the video on April 10, 2026, claiming that it shows Pakistani leaders being warmly welcomed in Iran.
Post link:
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. This led us to the same video posted on a Facebook account named “Bhurgri Siddique” on September 1, 2025.
According to the available information, the video shows a meeting between a Pakistani delegation and Iranian leaders. Further keyword searches helped us locate a longer version of the same video on the official YouTube channel “HT Videos,” also uploaded on September 1, 2025. The video was from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit 2025 held in China, where leaders from various member countries, including Pakistan and Iran, had met.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading. The video does not show any recent meeting or welcome ceremony in Iran linked to the ongoing ceasefire talks. Instead, it is an old clip from September 2025, recorded during the SCO Summit in China. There is no evidence to suggest that the footage is related to current developments between the United States, Iran, and Pakistan. The video has been taken out of context and is being reshared with a false narrative to mislead users.
Executive Summary:
Viral pictures featuring US Secret Service agents smiling while protecting former President Donald Trump during a planned attempt to kill him in Pittsburgh have been clarified as photoshopped pictures. The pictures making the rounds on social media were produced by AI-manipulated tools. The original image shows no smiling agents found on several websites. The event happened with Thomas Mathew Crooks firing bullets at Trump at an event in Butler, PA on July 13, 2024. During the incident one was deceased and two were critically injured. The Secret Service stopped the shooter, and circulating photos in which smiles were faked have stirred up suspicion. The verification of the face-manipulated image was debunked by the CyberPeace Research Team.
Claims:
Viral photos allegedly show United States Secret Service agents smiling while rushing to protect former President Donald Trump during an attempted assassination in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the posts, we searched for any credible source that supports the claim made, we found several articles and images of the incident but in those the images were different.
This image was published by CNN news media, in this image we can see the US Secret Service protecting Donald Trump but not smiling. We then checked for AI Manipulation in the image using the AI Image Detection tool, True Media.
We then checked with another AI Image detection tool named, contentatscale AI image detection, which also found it to be AI Manipulated.
Comparison of both photos:
Hence, upon lack of credible sources and detection of AI Manipulation concluded that the image is fake and misleading.
Conclusion:
The viral photos claiming to show Secret Service agents smiling when protecting former President Donald Trump during an assassination attempt have been proven to be digitally manipulated. The original image found on CNN Media shows no agents smiling. The spread of these altered photos resulted in misinformation. The CyberPeace Research Team's investigation and comparison of the original and manipulated images confirm that the viral claims are false.
- Claim: Viral photos allegedly show United States Secret Service agents smiling while rushing to protect former President Donald Trump during an attempted assassination in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Claimed on: X, Thread
- Fact Check: Fake & Misleading
Introduction
The advent of Electronic Vehicles (EVs) represents a transformative leap towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious transportation future by nations. However, as these vehicles become increasingly connected and reliant on advanced technological systems, a parallel concern emerges—data privacy. Integrating sophisticated technologies in EVs, such as GPS tracking, biometric authentication, and in-car connectivity, raises substantial questions about the collection, storage, and potential misuse of sensitive personal information. This intersection of automotive innovation and data privacy underscores the need for comprehensive solutions and regulatory frameworks to ensure that the benefits of electric vehicles are realised without compromising the privacy and security of their users.
Electronic vehicles primarily record three types of data;
- Driving behaviour and patterns: The e-vehicle records braking and driving patterns, including acceleration, speed, and swerve. Some vehicles even track air conditioning usage and airbag deployment to determine the point of failure in the event of a crash.
- Location data: The e-vehicles also track GPS systems to gauge the speed and direction of the vehicle.
- EV functions and use of telematic services: Monitoring of EV functions includes battery use management, battery charging history, battery deterioration, electrical system functions and software version information.
Data Privacy requirements of companies
Companies manufacturing e-vehicles are saddled with several data privacy requirements as concerns about consumer safety. Data collected by e-vehicles may be sensitive in nature. Location tracking is a key issue that has garnered attention. The constant recording of a driver's whereabouts can lead to the creation of detailed profiles, raising questions about the potential misuse or unauthorised access to this sensitive information. The risk of surveillance, stalking, or even theft of valuable personal data is a genuine concern for EV owners.
Moreover, integrating smart features, such as voice recognition, biometric authentication, and in-car personal assistants, adds another layer of complexity. These features require the collection and processing of personal data. If not handled securely, they may become vulnerable to hacking or unauthorised access, leading to identity theft or other malicious activities. Additionally, Smart charging systems offer convenience by allowing remote monitoring and control of charging, but they also gather extensive data. The geographical data collected during charging may raise concerns about location privacy.
Striking a delicate balance between leveraging this data for enhancing vehicle performance and user experience while safeguarding the privacy of EV owners is paramount. Transparent privacy policies, secure data storage practices, and stringent encryption protocols are essential components of a comprehensive approach to data protection. If a company is eyeing the international market or utilising cloud-based software with decentralised global data storage, it must also navigate international privacy and data protection laws. A prime example is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a globally recognised and stringent data protection law applicable to both European-based companies and international entities providing goods, services, or monitoring activities of residents within Europe.
Manufacturers of these vehicles are subjected to compliance with this comprehensive legal framework. Obligations on companies are levied by them being data fiduciaries; dual liability may also emanate since some data fiduciaries may also qualify as data processors. Special care must be taken when data is being transferred to third parties.
Further, compliance with consumer safety laws is also an important consideration. In India, the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 safeguards the rights of consumers, holding manufacturers, sellers, and service providers responsible for any harm resulting from faulty or defective products. This extends the Act's coverage to include manufacturers and sellers of internet and technology-based products. When read with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023 (DPDP Act), the Consumer Protection Act of 2019 takes on additional significance. The DPDP Act, focusing on the security of an individual's digital personal data, introduces provisions such as mandatory consent, purpose limitation, data minimisation, obligatory security measures by organisations, data localisation, and enforcing accountability and compliance. These provisions apply to information generated by and for consumers, offering a comprehensive framework for protecting digital personal data.
Conclusion
The intersection of e-vehicles and data privacy necessitates a careful and comprehensive approach to ensure the coexistence of automotive innovation and user security. As electric vehicles record intricate data related to driving behaviour, location, and telematic services, companies manufacturing these vehicles must navigate a complex landscape of data privacy requirements. The potential risks associated with location tracking, smart features, and the extensive data collected during charging underscore the importance of transparent privacy policies, secure data storage practices, and stringent encryption protocols. Moreover, as companies expand globally, compliance with international privacy laws like the GDPR becomes imperative. Balancing the enhancement of vehicle performance and user experience with the safeguarding of privacy is paramount. Manufacturers, deemed as data fiduciaries, must exercise diligence, especially when transferring data to third parties. Additionally, adherence to consumer safety laws, such as the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, further emphasises the need for a holistic and vigilant approach to ensure the responsible use of data in the evolving landscape of e-vehicles.
References
- https://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1556&context=chtlj
- https://cyberswitching.com/electric-car-charging-and-data-privacy/#:~:text=Smart%20charging%20systems%20provide%20convenience,in%20safeguarding%20EV%20user%20privacy
