#FactCheck -Deepfake Video of Tharoor Misleads Social Media Users
Executive Summary
A video of senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor is widely circulating on social media, allegedly showing him praising Pakistan’s diplomatic stance over the ICC T20 World Cup issue. Many users are sharing the clip believing it to be genuine. However, research by the CyberPeace found the claim to be false. The viral video of Tharoor is a deepfake, and the Congress leader himself has described it as fabricated and fake.
Claim
A Facebook page named “Vok Sports” shared the video on February 11, 2026, claiming that Tharoor praised Pakistan. In the viral clip, he is purportedly heard saying in English that Pakistan’s diplomatic handling of the matter was “brilliant” and that it had outmanoeuvred the Indian cricket board, adding that good diplomacy could make a weak nation appear powerful.
The video was widely shared by social media users as authentic. (Archive links and post details provided.)
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we first scanned Tharoor’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle. We found a post dated February 12 in which he responded to a Pakistani journalist who had shared the video. Tharoor stated that the clip was AI-generated “fake news,” adding that neither the language nor the voice in the video was his.
A reverse image search using Google Lens led the Desk to a video uploaded on February 10, 2026, by India Today on its official YouTube channel. The visuals in this original video exactly matched those seen in the viral clip showing Tharoor speaking to the media. However, upon analysing the original footage, we found that Tharoor was speaking in Hindi about the controversy surrounding the T20 World Cup. He stated that politics should not be mixed with cricket or sports and did not praise Pakistan or the Pakistan Cricket Board at any point. This indicates that the audio in the viral clip had been manipulated and replaced. In the original video, Tharoor said that politicians should conduct politics separately, diplomats should handle diplomacy, and cricket players should focus on the game, expressing hope that cricket would move forward with the match.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkA1mLlAT8Q&t=3s
To further verify the authenticity of the video, several AI detection tools were used. Analysis through Aurigin.ai suggested a 78 percent probability that the audio in the viral clip was AI-generated.
Conclusion
The CyberPeace confirmed that the viral video is a deepfake. Tharoor did not praise Pakistan’s diplomatic stance during the T20 World Cup controversy, and the circulating clip has been digitally manipulated.
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Introduction
We consume news from various sources such as news channels, social media platforms and the Internet etc. In the age of the Internet and social media, the concern of misinformation has become a common issue as there is widespread misinformation or fake news on the Internet and social media platforms.
Misinformation on social media platforms
The wide availability of user-provided content on online social media platforms facilitates the spread of misinformation. With the vast population on social media platforms, the information gets viral and spreads all over the internet. It has become a serious concern as such misinformation, including rumours, morphed images, unverified information, fake news, and planted stories, spread easily on the internet, leading to severe consequences such as public riots, lynching, communal tensions, misconception about facts, defamation etc.
Platform-centric measures to mitigate the spread of misinformation
- Google introduced the ‘About this result’ feature’. This allows the users to help with better understand the search results and websites at a glance.
- During the covid-19 pandemic, there were huge cases of misinformation being shared. Google, in April 2020, invested $6.5 million in funding to fact-checkers and non-profits fighting misinformation around the world, including a check on information related to coronavirus or on issues related to the treatment, prevention, and transmission of Covid-19.
- YouTube also have its Medical Misinformation Policy which prevents the spread of information or content which is in contravention of the World Health Organization (WHO) or local health authorities.
- At the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, major social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have started showing awareness pop-ups which connected people to information directly from the WHO and regional authorities.
- WhatsApp has a limit on the number of times a WhatsApp message can be forwarded to prevent the spread of fake news. And also shows on top of the message that it is forwarded many times. WhatsApp has also partnered with fact-checking organisations to make sure to have access to accurate information.
- On Instagram as well, when content has been rated as false or partly false, Instagram either removes it or reduces its distribution by reducing its visibility in Feeds.
Fight Against Misinformation
Misinformation is rampant all across the world, and the same needs to be addressed at the earliest. Multiple developed nations have synergised with tech bases companies to address this issue, and with the increasing penetration of social media and the internet, this remains a global issue. Big tech companies such as Meta and Google have undertaken various initiatives globally to address this issue. Google has taken up the initiative to address this issue in India and, in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations, multiple avenues for mass-scale awareness and upskilling campaigns have been piloted to make an impact on the ground.
How to prevent the spread of misinformation?
Conclusion
In the digital media space, there is a widespread of misinformative content and information. Platforms like Google and other social media platforms have taken proactive steps to prevent the spread of misinformation. Users should also act responsibly while sharing any information. Hence creating a safe digital environment for everyone.
Executive Summary
A post is being widely circulated on social media claiming that the entire Delhi airport was submerged following heavy rainfall. The post questions the airport’s drainage system and attributes the situation to the negligence of its staff. The post further claims that the airport’s arrangements were exposed after just one spell of rain and that its drainage system needs to be upgraded using better technology. A research by the research wing of CyberPeace found that the viral video is not from Delhi airport but dates back to April 2024. At the time, heavy rainfall in Dubai caused flood-like conditions at the airport, affecting flight operations on waterlogged runways as well. Thus, an old video from Dubai is being falsely shared on social media as footage of Delhi airport.
Claim:
A user on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) shared the viral video with the caption: “Delhi Airport — the entire airport is submerged. This is the situation after just one spell of rain. A minor issue of drainage and negligence by the staff — the public is aware — now the negligence will be punished. ‘The drainage system technology must be developed.’”
https://x.com/RJMediaGroups/status/2096470339060736149
Factcheck
As part of our investigation, we conducted a reverse image search of keyframes from the video. During the search, we found the original video on a YouTube channel named The Indian Express, which was uploaded on April 17, 2024. According to the video description, the incident took place in Dubai. The post link and screenshot are provided below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9F1qTMIO5M
During our investigation, we found visuals similar to those in the viral video on the YouTube channel AlArabiyaEnglish. The video was uploaded on April 16, 2024. According to the information provided in the video description, several parts of the UAE were affected by flooding following sudden heavy rainfall on April 16, 2024. The heavy rains also affected operations at Dubai Airport, disrupting several flights. According to the report, the UAE recorded a record 254 mm of rainfall in less than 24 hours. In view of the adverse weather conditions, Dubai Airport advised passengers to travel only if absolutely necessary. The post link and screenshot are provided below.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KzIstkiOdp4
Conclusion:
Our investigation found that the viral video does not show Delhi Airport after heavy rainfall. The visuals are actually from Dubai Airport, where severe rainfall in the UAE in April 2024 led to flooding and disruptions to airport operations. Therefore, the viral video is old and has been falsely shared on social media with the misleading claim that it shows the current condition of Delhi Airport.
Introduction
In September 2025, social media feeds were flooded with strikingly vintage saree-type portraits. These images were not taken by professional photographers, but AI-generated images. More than a million people turned to the "Nano Banana" AI tool of Google Gemini, uploading their ordinary selfies and watching them transform into Bollywood-style, cinematic, 1990s posters. The popularity of this trend is evident, as are the concerns of law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts regarding risks of infringement of privacy, unauthorised data sharing, and threats related to deepfake misuse.
What is the Trend?
This trend in AI sarees is created using Google Geminis' Nano Banana image-editing tool, editing and morphing uploaded selfies into glitzy vintage portraits in traditional Indian attire. A user would upload a clear photograph of a solo subject and enter prompts to generate images of cinematic backgrounds, flowing chiffon sarees, golden-hour ambience, and grainy film texture, reminiscent of classic Bollywood imagery. Since its launch, the tool has processed over 500 million images, with the saree trend marking one of its most popular uses. Photographs are uploaded to an AI system, which uses machine learning to alter the pictures according to the description specified. The transformed AI portraits are then shared by users on their Instagram, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms, thereby contributing to the viral nature of the trend.
Law Enforcement Agency Warnings
- A few Indian police agencies have issued strong advisories against participation in such trends. IPS Officer VC Sajjanar warned the public: "The uploading of just one personal photograph can make greedy operators go from clicking their fingers to joining hands with criminals and emptying one's bank account." His advisory had further warned that sharing personal information through trending apps can lead to many scams and fraud.
- Jalandhar Rural Police issued a comprehensive warning stating that such applications put the user at risk of identity theft and online fraud when personal pictures are uploaded. A senior police officer stated: "Once sensitive facial data is uploaded, it can be stored, analysed, and even potentially misused to open the way for cyber fraud, impersonation, and digital identity crimes.
The Cyber Crime Police also put out warnings on social media platforms regarding how photo applications appear entertaining but can pose serious risks to user privacy. They specifically warned that selfies uploaded can lead to data misuse, deepfake creation, and the generation of fake profiles, which are punishable under Sections 66C and 66D of the IT Act 2000.
Consequences of Such Trends
The massification of AI photo trends has several severe effects on private users and society as a whole. Identity fraud and theft are the main issues, as uploaded biometric information can be used by hackers to generate imitated identities, evading security measures or committing financial fraud. The facial recognition information shared by means of these trends remains a digital asset that could be abused years after the trend has passed. ‘Deepfake’ production is another tremendous threat because personal images shared on AI platforms can be utilised to create non-consensual artificial media. Studies have found that more than 95,000 deepfake videos circulated online in 2023 alone, a 550% increase from 2019. The images uploaded can be leveraged to produce embarrassing or harmful content that can cause damage to personal reputation, relationships, and career prospects.
Financial exploitation is also when fake applications in the guise of genuine AI tools strip users of their personal data and financial details. Such malicious platforms tend to look like well-known services so as to trick users into divulging sensitive information. Long-term privacy infringement also comes about due to the permanent retention and possible commercial exploitation of personal biometric information by AI firms, even when users close down their accounts.
Privacy Risks
A few months ago, the Ghibli trend went viral, and now this new trend has taken over. Such trends may subject users to several layers of privacy threats that go far beyond the instant gratification of taking pleasing images. Harvesting of biometric data is the most critical issue since facial recognition information posted on these sites becomes inextricably linked with user identities. Under Google's privacy policy for Gemini tools, uploaded images might be stored temporarily for processing and may be kept for longer periods if used for feedback purposes or feature development.
Illegal data sharing happens when AI platforms provide user-uploaded content to third parties without user consent. A Mozilla Foundation study in 2023 discovered that 80% of popular AI apps had either non-transparent data policies or obscured the ability of users to opt out of data gathering. This opens up opportunities for personal photographs to be shared with anonymous entities for commercial use. Exploitation of training data includes the use of personal photos uploaded to enhance AI models without notifying or compensating users. Although Google provides users with options to turn off data sharing within privacy settings, most users are ignorant of these capabilities. Integration of cross-platform data increases privacy threats when AI applications use data from interlinked social media profiles, providing detailed user profiles that can be taken advantage of for purposeful manipulation or fraud. Inadequacy of informed consent continues to be a major problem, with users engaging in trends unaware of the entire context of sharing information. Studies show that 68% of individuals show concern regarding the misuse of AI app data, but 42% use these apps without going through the terms and conditions.
CyberPeace Expert Recommendations
While the Google Gemini image trend feature operates under its own terms and conditions, it is important to remember that many other tools and applications allow users to generate similar content. Not every platform can be trusted without scrutiny, so users who engage in such trends should do so only on trustworthy platforms and make reliable, informed choices. Above all, following cybersecurity best practices and digital security principles remains essential.
Here are some best practices:-
1.Immediate Protection Measures for User
In a nutshell, protection of personal information may begin by not uploading high-resolution personal photos into AI-based applications, especially those trained for facial recognition. Instead, a person can play with stock images or non-identifiable pictures to the degree that it satisfies the program's creative features without compromising biometric security. Strong privacy settings should exist on every social media platform and AI app by which a person can either limit access to their data, content, or anything else.
2.Organisational Safeguards
AI governance frameworks within organisations should enumerate policies regarding the usage of AI tools by employees, particularly those concerning the upload of personal data. Companies should appropriately carry out due diligence before the adoption of an AI product made commercially available for their own use in order to ensure that such a product has its privacy and security levels as suitable as intended by the company. Training should instruct employees regarding deepfake technology.
3.Technical Protection Strategies
Deepfake detection software should be used. These tools, which include Microsoft Video Authenticator, Intel FakeCatcher, and Sensity AI, allow real-time detection with an accuracy higher than 95%. Use blockchain-based concepts to verify content to create tamper-proof records of original digital assets so that the method of proposing deepfake content as original remains very difficult.
4.Policy and Awareness Initiatives
For high-risk transactions, especially in banks and identity verification systems, authentication should include voice and face liveness checks to ensure the person is real and not using fake or manipulated media. Implement digital literacy programs to empower users with knowledge about AI threats, deepfake detection techniques, and safe digital practices. Companies should also liaise with law enforcement, reporting purported AI crimes, thus offering assistance in combating malicious applications of synthetic media technology.
5.Addressing Data Transparency and Cross-Border AI Security
Regulatory systems need to be called for requiring the transparency of data policies in AI applications, along with providing the rights and choices to users regarding either Biometric data or any other data. Promotion must be given to the indigenous development of AI pertaining to India-centric privacy concerns, assuring the creation of AI models in a secure, transparent, and accountable manner. In respect of cross-border AI security concerns, there must be international cooperation for setting common standards of ethical design, production, and use of AI. With the virus-like contagiousness of AI phenomena such as saree editing trends, they portray the potential and hazards of the present-day generation of artificial intelligence. While such tools offer newer opportunities, they also pose grave privacy and security concerns, which should have been considered quite some time ago by users, organisations, and policy-makers. Through the setting up of all-around protection mechanisms and keeping an active eye on digital privacy, both individuals and institutions will reap the benefits of this AI innovation, and they shall not fall on the darker side of malicious exploitation.
References
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/amid-google-gemini-nano-banana-ai-trend-ips-officer-warns-people-about-online-scams-101757980904282.html%202
- https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/viral-banana-ai-saree-selfies-may-risk-fraud-warn-jalandhar-rural-police-13549443.html
- https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/researchpapers/Documents/Sexually%20explicit%20deepfakes.pdf
- https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-state-of-ai-in-2023-generative-ais-breakout-year
- https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-state-of-ai-in-2023-generative-ais-breakout-year
- https://socradar.io/top-10-ai-deepfake-detection-tools-2025/
