#FactCheck- Viral video of fighter jet striking dam falsely linked to alleged Israeli attack on Iran; actually AI-generated content

Introduction

Smartphones have revolutionised human connectivity. In 2023, it was estimated that almost 96% of the global digital population is accessing the internet via their mobile phones and India alone has 1.05 billion users. Information consumption has grown exponentially due to the enhanced accessibility that these mobiles provide. These devices allow accessibility to information no matter where one is, and have completely transformed how we engage with the world around us, be it to skim through work emails while commuting, video streaming during breaks, reading an ebook at our convenience or even catching up on news at any time or place. Mobile phones  grant us instant access to the web and are always within reach. 

But this instant connection has its downsides too, and one of the most worrying of these is the rampant rise of misinformation. These tiny screens and our constant, on-the-go dependence on them can be directly linked to the spread of “fake news,” as people consume more and more content in rapid bursts, without taking the time to really process the same or think deeply about its authenticity. There is an underlying cultural shift in how we approach information and learning currently: the onslaught of vast amounts of “bite-sized information” discourages people from researching what they’re being told or shown. The focus has shifted from learning deeply to consuming more and sharing faster. And this change in audience behaviour is making us vulnerable to misinformation, disinformation and unchecked foreign influence.

The Growth of Mobile Internet Access 

More than 5 billion people are connected to the internet and web traffic is increasing rapidly. The developed countries in North America and Europe are experiencing mobile internet penetration at a universal rate.  Contrastingly, the developing countries of Africa, Asia, and Latin America are experiencing rapid growth in this penetration. The introduction of affordable smartphones and low-cost mobile data plans has expanded access to internet connectivity. 4G and 5G infrastructure development have further bridged any connectivity gaps. This widespread access to the mobile internet has democratised information, allowing millions of users to participate in the digital economy.  Access to educational resources while at the same time engaging in global conversations is one such example of the democratisation of information. This reduces the digital divide between diverse groups and empowers communities with unprecedented access to knowledge and opportunities.

The Nature of Misinformation in the Mobile Era 

Misinformation spread has become more prominent in recent times and one of the contributing factors is the rise of mobile internet. This instantaneous connection has made social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter) available on a single compact and portable device. These social media platforms enable users to share content instantly and to a wide user base, many times without verifying its accuracy. The virality of social media sharing, where posts can reach thousands of users in seconds, accelerates the spread of false information. This ease of sharing, combined with algorithms that prioritise engagement, creates a fertile ground for misinformation to flourish, misleading vast numbers of people before corrections or factual information can be disseminated. 

Some of the factors that are amplifying misinformation sharing through mobile internet are algorithmic amplification which prioritises engagement, the ease of sharing content due to instant access and user-generated content, the limited media literacy of users and the echo chambers which reinforce existing biases and spread false information. 

Gaps and Challenges due to the increased accessibility of  Mobile Internet 

Despite growing concerns about misinformation spread due to mobile internet, policy responses remain inadequate, particularly in developing countries. These gaps include: the lack of algorithm regulation, as social media platforms prioritise engaging content, often fueling misinformation. Inadequate international cooperation further complicates enforcement, as addressing the cross-border nature of misinformation has been a struggle for national regulations. 

Additionally, balancing content moderation with free speech remains challenging, with efforts to curb misinformation sometimes leading to concerns over censorship. 

Finally, a deficit in media literacy leaves many vulnerable to false information. Governments and international organisations must prioritise public education to equip users with the required skills to evaluate online content, especially in low-literacy regions.

CyberPeace Recommendations

Addressing misinformation via mobile internet requires a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach. 

• Governments should mandate algorithm transparency, ensuring social media platforms disclose how content is prioritised and give users more control. 
• Collaborative fact-checking initiatives between governments, platforms, and civil society could help flag or correct false information before it spreads, especially during crises like elections or public health emergencies. 
• International organisations should lead efforts to create standardised global regulations to hold platforms accountable across borders. 
• Additionally, large-scale digital literacy campaigns are crucial, teaching the public how to assess online content and avoid misinformation traps.

Conclusion

Mobile internet access has transformed information consumption and bridged the digital divide. At the same time, it has also accelerated the spread of misinformation. The global reach and instant nature of mobile platforms, combined with algorithmic amplification, have created significant challenges in controlling the flow of false information. Addressing this issue requires a collective effort from governments, tech companies, and civil society to implement transparent algorithms, promote fact-checking, and establish international regulatory standards. Digital literacy should be enhanced to empower users to assess online content and counter any risks that it poses.  

References

• https://www.statista.com/statistics/1289755/internet-access-by-device-worldwide/ 
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/kalevleetaru/2019/05/01/are-smartphones-making-fake-news-and-disinformation-worse/
• https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/03/07/7-key-findings-about-mobile-phone-and-social-media-use-in-emerging-economies/ft_19-02-28_globalmobilekeytakeaways_misinformation/ 
• https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/slow-scroll-users-less-vigilant-about-misinformation-mobile-phones 

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Executive Summary:

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A viral video claiming to show Israelis pleading with Iran to "stop the war" is not authentic. As per our research the footage is AI-generated, created using tools like Google’s Veo, and not evidence of a real protest. The video features unnatural visuals and errors typical of AI fabrication. It is part of a broader wave of misinformation surrounding the Israel-Iran conflict, where AI-generated content is widely used to manipulate public opinion. This incident underscores the growing challenge of distinguishing real events from digital fabrications in global conflicts and highlights the importance of media literacy and fact-checking.

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Claim:

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A X verified  user with the handle "Iran, stop the war, we are sorry" posted a video featuring people holding placards and the Israeli flag. The caption suggests that Israeli citizens are calling for peace and expressing remorse, stating, "Stop the war with Iran! We apologize! The people of Israel want peace." The user further claims that Israel, having allegedly initiated the conflict by attacking Iran, is now seeking reconciliation.

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Fact Check:

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The bottom-right corner of the video displays a "VEO" watermark, suggesting it was generated using Google's AI tool, VEO 3. The video exhibits several noticeable inconsistencies such as robotic, unnatural speech, a lack of human gestures, and unclear text on the placards. Additionally, in one frame, a person wearing a blue T-shirt is seen holding nothing, while in the next frame, an Israeli flag suddenly appears in their hand, indicating possible AI-generated glitches.

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We further analyzed the video using the AI detection tool HIVE Moderation, which revealed a 99% probability that the video was generated using artificial intelligence technology. To validate this finding, we examined a keyframe from the video separately, which showed an even higher likelihood of 99% probability of being AI generated. These results strongly indicate that the video is not authentic and was most likely created using advanced AI tools.

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Conclusion:

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The video is highly likely to be AI-generated, as indicated by the VEO watermark, visual inconsistencies, and a 99% probability from HIVE Moderation. This highlights the importance of verifying content before sharing, as misleading AI-generated media can easily spread false narratives.

• Claim: AI generated video of Israelis saying "Stop the War, Iran We are Sorry". ‍
• Claimed On: Social Media‍
• Fact Check:AI Generated Mislead

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Introduction

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated banks to switch their digital banking domains to 'Bank.in' by October 31, 2025, as part of a strategy to modernise the sector and maintain consumer confidence. The move is expected to provide a consistent and secure interface for online banking, as a response to the increasing threats posed by cybercriminals who exploit vulnerabilities in online platforms. The RBI's directive is seen as a proactive measure to address the growing concerns over cybersecurity in the banking sector.

RBI  Circular - Migration to '.bank.in' domain

The official circular released by the RBI dated April 22, 2025, read as follows:

“It has now been decided to operationalise the ‘. bank.in’ domain for banks through the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), which has been authorised by National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to serve as the exclusive registrar for this domain. Banks may contact IDRBT at sahyog@idrbt.ac.in to initiate the registration process. IDRBT shall guide the banks on various aspects related to application process and migration to new domain.”

“All banks are advised to commence the migration of their existing domains to the ‘.bank.in’ domain and complete the process at the earliest and in any case, not later than October 31, 2025.”

CyberPeace Outlook

The Reserve Bank of India's directive mandating banks to shift to the 'Bank.in' domain by October 31, 2025, represents a strategic and forward-looking measure to modernise the nation’s digital banking infrastructure. With this initiative, the RBI is setting a new benchmark in cybersecurity by creating a trusted, exclusive domain that banks must adopt. This move will drastically reduce cyber threats, phishing attacks, and fake banking websites, which have been major sources of financial fraud. This fixed domain will simplify verification for consumers and tech platforms to more easily identify legitimate banking websites and apps.  Furthermore, a strong drop in online financial fraud will have a long-term effect by this order.  Since phishing and domain spoofing are two of the most prevalent forms of cybercrime, a shift to a strictly regulated domain name system will remove the potential for lookalike URLs and fraudulent websites that mimic banks. As India’s digital economy grows, RBI’s move is timely, essential, and future-ready.

References

• https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12837&Mode=0

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