#FactCheck: Fake viral AI video captures a real-time bridge failure incident in Bihar
Executive Summary:
A video went viral on social media claiming to show a bridge collapsing in Bihar. The video prompted panic and discussions across various social media platforms. However, an exhaustive inquiry determined this was not real video but AI-generated content engineered to look like a real bridge collapse. This is a clear case of misinformation being harvested to create panic and ambiguity.
Claim:
The viral video shows a real bridge collapse in Bihar, indicating possible infrastructure failure or a recent incident in the state.
Fact Check:
Upon examination of the viral video, various visual anomalies were highlighted, such as unnatural movements, disappearing people, and unusual debris behavior which suggested the footage was generated artificially. We used Hive AI Detector for AI detection, and it confirmed this, labelling the content as 99.9% AI. It is also noted that there is the absence of realism with the environment and some abrupt animation like effects that would not typically occur in actual footage.
No valid news outlet or government agency reported a recent bridge collapse in Bihar. All these factors clearly verify that the video is made up and not real, designed to mislead viewers into thinking it was a real-life disaster, utilizing artificial intelligence.
Conclusion:
The viral video is a fake and confirmed to be AI-generated. It falsely claims to show a bridge collapsing in Bihar. This kind of video fosters misinformation and illustrates a growing concern about using AI-generated videos to mislead viewers.
Claim: A recent viral video captures a real-time bridge failure incident in Bihar.
Claimed On: Social Media
Fact Check: False and Misleading
Related Blogs
Executive Summary:
False information spread on social media that Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, India’s first female Rafale pilot, had been captured by Pakistan during “Operation Sindoor”. The allegations are untrue and baseless as no credible or official confirmation supports the claim, and Singh is confirmed to be safe and actively serving. The rumor, likely originating from unverified sources, sparked public concern and underscored the serious threat fake news poses to national security.
Claim:
An X user posted stating that “ Initial image released of a female Indian Shivani singh Rafale pilot shot down in Pakistan”. It was falsely claimed that Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh had been captured, and that the Rafale aircraft was shot down by Pakistan.
Fact Check:
After doing reverse image search, we found an instagram post stating the two Indian Air Force pilots—Wing Commander Tejpal (50) and trainee Bhoomika (28)—who had ejected from a Kiran Jet Trainer during a routine training sortie from Bengaluru before it crashed near Bhogapuram village in Karnataka. The aircraft exploded upon impact, but both pilots were later found alive, though injured and exhausted.
Also we found a youtube channel which is showing the video from the past and not what it was claimed to be.
Conclusion:
The false claims about Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh being captured by Pakistan and her Rafale jet being shot down have been debunked. The image used was unrelated and showed IAF pilots from a separate training incident. Several media also confirmed that its video made no mention of Ms. Singh’s arrest. This highlights the dangers of misinformation, especially concerning national security. Verifying facts through credible sources and avoiding the spread of unverified content is essential to maintain public trust and protect the reputation of those serving in the armed forces.
- Claim: False claims about Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh being captured by Pakistan and her Rafale jet being shot down
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
As Generative AI continues to make strides by creating content through user prompts, the increasing sophistication of language models widens the scope of the services they can deliver. However, they have their own limitations. Recently, alerts by Apple Intelligence on the iPhone’s latest version have come under fire for misrepresenting news by news agencies.
The new feature was introduced with the aim of presenting an effective way to group and summarise app notifications in a single alert on a user’s lock screen. This was to enable an easier scan for important details amongst a large number of notifications, doing away with overwhelming updates for the user. This, however, resulted in the misrepresentation of news channels and reporting of fake news such as the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Luke Litter winning the PDC World Darts Championship even before the competition, tennis Player Rafael Nadal coming out as gay, among other news alerts. Following false alerts, BBC had complained about its journalism being misrepresented. In response, Apple’s proposed solution was to clarify to the user that when the text summary is displayed in the notifications, it is clearly stated to be a product of notification Apple Intelligence and not of the news agency. It also claimed the complexity of having to compress content into short summaries which resulted in fallacious alerts. Further comments revealed that the AI alert feature was in beta and is continuously being worked on depending on the user’s feedback. Owing to the backlash, Apple has suspended this service and announced that an improved version of the feature is set to be released in the near future, however, no dates have been set.
CyberPeace Insights
The rush to release new features often exacerbates the problem, especially when AI-generated alerts are responsible for summarising news reports. This can significantly damage the credibility and trust that brands have worked hard to build. The premature release of features that affect the dissemination, content, and public comprehension of information carries substantial risks, particularly in the current environment where misinformation is widespread. Timely action and software updates, which typically require weeks to implement, are crucial in mitigating these risks. The desire to be ahead in the game and bring out competitive features must not resolve the responsibility of providing services that are secure and reliable. This aforementioned incident highlights the inherent nature of generative AI, which operates by analysing the data it was trained on to deliver the best possible responses based on user prompts. However, these responses are not always accurate or reliable. When faced with prompts beyond its scope, AI systems often produce untrustworthy information, underlining the need for careful oversight and verification. A question to deliberate on is whether we require such services at all, which in practice, do save our time, but do so at the risk of the spread of false tidbits.
References
- https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/07/apple-update-ai-inaccurate-news-alerts-bbc-apple-intelligence-iphone
- https://www.firstpost.com/tech/apple-intelligence-hallucinates-falsely-credits-bbc-for-fake-news-broadcaster-lodges-complaint-13845214.html
- https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/08/apple-ai-fake-news-alerts-highlight-the-techs-misinformation-problem.html
- https://news.sky.com/story/apple-ai-feature-must-be-revoked-over-notifications-misleading-users-say-journalists-13288716
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/apple-to-pay-95-million-in-user-privacy-violation-lawsuit-on-siri-101735835058198.html
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/apple-denies-claims-of-siri-violating-user-privacy-after-95-million-class-action-suit-settlement-101736445941497.html#:~:text=Apple%20denies%20claims%20of%20Siri,action%20suit%20settlement%20%2D%20Hindustan%20Times
- https://www.google.com/search?q=apple+AI+alerts+misinformation&oq=apple+AI+alerts+misinformation+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigAdIBCTEyMzUxajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
- https://www.fastcompany.com/91261727/apple-intelligence-news-summaries-mistakes
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/siris-secret-listening-costs-apple-95m/articleshow/116906209.cms
- https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/17/apple-suspends-ai-generated-news-alert-service-after-bbc-complaint
Introduction
Misinformation is, to its basic meaning, incorrect or misleading information, it may or may not include specific malicious intent and includes inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, or false information and selective or half-truths. The main challenges in dealing with misinformation are defining and distinguishing misinformation from legitimate content. This complexity arises due to the rapid evolution and propagation which information undergoes on the digital platforms. Additionally, balancing the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression with content regulation by state actors poses a significant challenge. It requires careful consideration to avoid censorship while effectively combating harmful misinformation.
Acknowledging the severe consequences of misinformation and the critical need to combat misinformation, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 has implemented key measures to address misinformation in India. These new provisions introduced under the new criminal laws in India penalise the deliberate creation, distribution, or publication of inaccurate information. Previously missing from the IPC, these sections offer an additional legal resource to counter the proliferation of falsehoods, complementing existing laws targeting the same issue.
Section 353 of the BNS on Statements Conducing to Public Mischief criminalises making, publishing, or circulating statements, false information, rumours, or reports, including through electronic means, with the intent or likelihood of causing various harmful outcomes.
This section thus brings misinformation into its ambit, since misinformation has been traditionally used to induce public fear or alarm that may lead to offences against the State or public tranquillity or inciting one class or community to commit offences against another. The section also penalizes the promotion of enmity, hatred, or ill will among different religious, racial, linguistic, or regional groups.
BNS also prescribes punishment of imprisonment for up to three years, a fine, or both for offences under section 353. Interestingly, a longer imprisonment of up to 5 years along with a fine has been prescribed to curb such offences in places of worship or during religious ceremonies. The only exception that may be availed under this section is granted to unsuspecting individuals who, believing the misinformation to be true, spread misinformation without any ill intent. However, this exception may not be as effective in curbing misinformation, since at the outset, the offence is hard to trace and has multiple pockets for individuals to seek protection without any mechanism to verify their intent.
The BNS also aims to regulate misinformation through Section 197(1)(d) on Imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration. Under this provision, anyone who makes or publishes false or misleading information, whether it is in the form of spoken words, written, by signs, in visible representations, or through electronic communication, therefore, results in jeopardising the sovereignty, unity, integrity, or security of India is liable to face punishment in the form of imprisonment for up to three years, a fine, or both and if it occurs in a place of worship or during religious ceremonies, the quantum of punishment is increased to imprisonment for up to five years and may include a fine. Additionally, Section 212 (a) & (b) provides against furnishing false information. If a person who is legally obligated to provide information to a public servant, knowingly or reasonably believes that the information is false, and still furnishes it, they now face a punishment of six months imprisonment or a fine up to five thousand rupees or both. However, if the false information pertains to the commission or prevention of an offence, or the apprehension of an offender, the punishment increases to imprisonment for up to two years, a fine, or both.
Enforcement Mechanisms: CyberPeace Policy Wing Outlook
To ensure the effective enforcement of these provisions, coordination between the key stakeholders, i.e., the law enforcement agencies, digital platforms, and judicial oversight is essential. Law enforcement agencies must utilize technology such as data analytics and digital forensics for tracking and identifying the origins of false information. This technological capability is crucial for pinpointing the sources and preventing the further spread of misinformation. Simultaneously, digital platforms associated with misinformation content are required to implement robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms to detect and address the generated misleading content proactively. A supporting oversight by judicial bodies plays a critical role in ensuring that enforcement actions are conducted fairly and in line with legal standards. It helps maintain a balance between addressing misinformation and upholding fundamental rights such as freedom of speech. The success of the BNS in addressing these challenges will depend on the effective integration of these mechanisms and ongoing adaptation to the evolving digital landscape.
Resources:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/250883_english_01042024.pdf
- https://www.foxmandal.in/changes-brought-forth-by-the-bharatiya-nyaya-sanhita-2023/
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/spreading-fake-news-could-land-people-in-jail-for-three-years-under-new-bharatiya-nyaya-sanhita-bill/articleshow/102669105.cms?from=mdr
