#FactCheck -Viral video falsely linked to Operation Sindoor and India–Pakistan conflict claims
Executive Summary
A video from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Norway is being widely shared on social media with the false claim that he avoided a question related to alleged Indian aircraft losses during the India–Pakistan conflict and “Operation Sindoor”. However, a fact-check by CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be false.The video shows a recent incident from 18 May in Oslo during a joint press appearance between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
The clip being circulated online shows journalist Helle Lyng asking PM Modi a question, but there is no reference to any India–Pakistan conflict or aircraft losses in her question.
Claim:
A post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on 19 May 2026 claims: “Fear of questions on historic defeat in Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s great victory in Marka e Haq: Modi flees in Norway without taking journalists’ questions.”
The post, along with archived links and screenshots, has been circulated to support the misleading narrative.
Fact Check
A review of journalist Helle Lyng’s official social media account shows the original video posted by her on 18 May. In the video, she can be heard asking:
“Prime Minister Modi, why don’t you take some questions from the freest press in the world?” In her caption, she stated that she did not expect PM Modi to take her question and highlighted press freedom rankings, noting Norway’s position at the top and India’s at 157th. She also emphasized that questioning cooperating governments is part of journalistic responsibility.
Further verification of the full press event published on the official Government of Norway portal shows no question related to alleged downed aircraft or military losses.
Additional reporting by Al Jazeera also confirms that a Norwegian journalist questioned PM Modi in Oslo about why he does not engage in open media briefings.
Conclusion:
The video is being shared with a misleading claim. It is a recent clip from 18 May in Oslo, and the journalist’s question was about press freedom—not about Operation Sindoor or any India–Pakistan conflict-related aircraft losses.
Related Blogs
Executive Summary
A video is going viral on social media showing a massive building engulfed in flames and collapsing into debris. It is being widely claimed that Iran launched a powerful attack that destroyed Israel’s army headquarters. However, research by CyberPeace reveals that this claim is misleading. The viral video is AI-generated and has no connection to any real-world event.
Claim
An X (formerly Twitter) user shared the viral video with the caption: “Iran has targeted Israel’s army headquarters. It seems Israel’s dream of becoming ‘Greater Israel’ will remain unfulfilled.”
Post link:
- https://x.com/KAMESHKUMAR96/status/2039009484069368083
Archived version:
- https://archive.ph/HKXkK
- https://x.com/KAMESHKUMAR96/status/2039009484069368083
- https://archive.ph/HKXkK
Similar videos have also been shared by other users on social media:
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. During this process, we found several credible media reports confirming that Iran has carried out drone and missile attacks on Israel and the Gulf regions in recent times. However, none of these reports featured the viral video, indicating that it is not authentic footage.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxDBX90bYng
A closer examination of the video revealed multiple visual inconsistencies commonly associated with AI-generated content. For instance, a building on the left side appears to bend and collapse in a rubber-like manner—something that is physically unrealistic for structures made of concrete and steel. Additionally, the smoke and flames appear unnatural and lack realistic dynamics.
To further verify, we analyzed the video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation, which classified it as 99.9% AI-generated.
We also tested the video using the Deepfake-o-Meter platform.The AVSRDD (2025) model detected it as 99.5% AI-generated
Conclusion
Our research clearly establishes that the viral video claiming Iran destroyed Israel’s army headquarters is false and misleading. The footage does not appear in any credible news coverage of recent attacks, which strongly indicates that it is not real. Moreover, multiple AI detection tools consistently classify the video as artificially generated, with extremely high probability scores. Visual anomalies in the clip further support this finding.
Introduction
As the sun rises on the Indian subcontinent, a nation teeters on the precipice of a democratic exercise of colossal magnitude. The Lok Sabha elections, a quadrennial event that mobilises the will of over a billion souls, is not just a testament to the robustness of India's democratic fabric but also a crucible where the veracity of information is put to the sternest of tests. In this context, the World Economic Forum's 'Global Risks Report 2024' emerges as a harbinger of a disconcerting trend: the spectre of misinformation and disinformation that threatens to distort the electoral landscape.
The report, a carefully crafted document that shares the insights of 1,490 experts from the interests of academia, government, business and civil society, paints a tableau of the global risks that loom large over the next decade. These risks, spawned by the churning cauldron of rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, a warming planet, and simmering conflict, are not just abstract threats but tangible realities that could shape the future of nations.
India’s Electoral Malice
India, as it strides towards the general elections scheduled in the spring of 2024, finds itself in the vortex of this hailstorm. The WEF survey positions India at the zenith of vulnerability to disinformation and misinformation, a dubious distinction that underscores the challenges facing the world's largest democracy. The report depicts misinformation and disinformation as the chimaeras of false information—whether inadvertent or deliberate—that are dispersed through the arteries of media networks, skewing public opinion towards a pervasive distrust in facts and authority. This encompasses a panoply of deceptive content: fabricated, false, manipulated and imposter.
The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom too, are ensnared in this web of varying degrees of misinformation. South Africa, another nation on the cusp of its own electoral journey, is ranked 22nd, a reflection of the global reach of this phenomenon. The findings, derived from a survey conducted over the autumnal weeks of September to October 2023, reveal a world grappling with the shadowy forces of untruth.
Global Scenario
The report prognosticates that as close to three billion individuals across diverse economies—Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States—prepare to exercise their electoral rights, the rampant use of misinformation and disinformation, and the tools that propagate them, could erode the legitimacy of the governments they elect. The repercussions could be dire, ranging from violent protests and hate crimes to civil confrontation and terrorism.
Beyond the electoral arena, the fabric of reality itself is at risk of becoming increasingly polarised, seeping into the public discourse on issues as varied as public health and social justice. As the bedrock of truth is undermined, the spectre of domestic propaganda and censorship looms large, potentially empowering governments to wield control over information based on their own interpretation of 'truth.'
The report further warns that disinformation will become increasingly personalised and targeted, honing in on specific groups such as minority communities and disseminating through more opaque messaging platforms like WhatsApp or WeChat. This tailored approach to deception signifies a new frontier in the battle against misinformation.
In a world where societal polarisation and economic downturn are seen as central risks in an interconnected 'risks network,' misinformation and disinformation have ascended rapidly to the top of the threat hierarchy. The report's respondents—two-thirds of them—cite extreme weather, AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, and societal and/or political polarisation as the most pressing global risks, followed closely by the 'cost-of-living crisis,' 'cyberattacks,' and 'economic downturn.'
Current Situation
In this unprecedented year for elections, the spectre of false information looms as one of the major threats to the global populace, according to the experts surveyed for the WEF's 2024 Global Risk Report. The report offers a nuanced analysis of the degrees to which misinformation and disinformation are perceived as problems for a selection of countries over the next two years, based on a ranking of 34 economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and technological risks.
India, the land of ancient wisdom and modern innovation, stands at the crossroads where the risk of disinformation and misinformation is ranked highest. Out of all the risks, these twin scourges were most frequently selected as the number one risk for the country by the experts, eclipsing infectious diseases, illicit economic activity, inequality, and labor shortages. The South Asian nation's next general election, set to unfurl between April and May 2024, will be a litmus test for its 1.4 billion people.
The spectre of fake news is not a novel adversary for India. The 2019 election was rife with misinformation, with reports of political parties weaponising platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook to spread incendiary messages, stoking fears that online vitriol could spill over into real-world violence. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the issue, with misinformation once again proliferating through WhatsApp.
Other countries facing a high risk of the impacts of misinformation and disinformation include El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Romania, Ireland, Czechia, the United States, Sierra Leone, France, and Finland, all of which consider the threat to be one of the top six most dangerous risks out of 34 in the coming two years. In the United Kingdom, misinformation/disinformation is ranked 11th among perceived threats.
The WEF analysts conclude that the presence of misinformation and disinformation in these electoral processes could seriously destabilise the real and perceived legitimacy of newly elected governments, risking political unrest, violence, and terrorism, and a longer-term erosion of democratic processes.
The 'Global Risks Report 2024' of the World Economic Forum ranks India first in facing the highest risk of misinformation and disinformation in the world at a time when it faces general elections this year. The report, released in early January with the 19th edition of its Global Risks Report and Global Risk Perception Survey, claims to reveal the varying degrees to which misinformation and disinformation are rated as problems for a selection of analyzed countries in the next two years, based on a ranking of 34 economic, environmental, geopolitical, societal, and technological risks.
Some governments and platforms aiming to protect free speech and civil liberties may fail to act effectively to curb falsified information and harmful content, making the definition of 'truth' increasingly contentious across societies. State and non-state actors alike may leverage false information to widen fractures in societal views, erode public confidence in political institutions, and threaten national cohesion and coherence.
Trust in specific leaders will confer trust in information, and the authority of these actors—from conspiracy theorists, including politicians, and extremist groups to influencers and business leaders—could be amplified as they become arbiters of truth.
False information could not only be used as a source of societal disruption but also of control by domestic actors in pursuit of political agendas. The erosion of political checks and balances and the growth in tools that spread and control information could amplify the efficacy of domestic disinformation over the next two years.
Global internet freedom is already in decline, and access to more comprehensive sets of information has dropped in numerous countries. The implication: Falls in press freedoms in recent years and a related lack of strong investigative media are significant vulnerabilities set to grow.
Advisory
Here are specific best practices for citizens to help prevent the spread of misinformation during electoral processes:
- Verify Information:Double-check the accuracy of information before sharing it. Use reliable sources and fact-checking websites to verify claims.
- Cross-Check Multiple Sources:Consult multiple reputable news sources to ensure that the information is consistent across different platforms.
- Be Wary of Social Media:Social media platforms are susceptible to misinformation. Be cautious about sharing or believing information solely based on social media posts.
- Check Dates and Context:Ensure that information is current and consider the context in which it is presented. Misinformation often thrives when details are taken out of context.
- Promote Media Literacy:Educate yourself and others on media literacy to discern reliable sources from unreliable ones. Be skeptical of sensational headlines and clickbait.
- Report False Information:Report instances of misinformation to the platform hosting the content and encourage others to do the same. Utilise fact-checking organisations or tools to report and debunk false information.
- Critical Thinking:Foster critical thinking skills among your community members. Encourage them to question information and think critically before accepting or sharing it.
- Share Official Information:Share official statements and information from reputable sources, such as government election commissions, to ensure accuracy.
- Avoid Echo Chambers:Engage with diverse sources of information to avoid being in an 'echo chamber' where misinformation can thrive.
- Be Responsible in Sharing:Before sharing information, consider the potential impact it may have. Refrain from sharing unverified or sensational content that can contribute to misinformation.
- Promote Open Dialogue:Open discussions should be promoted amongst their community about the significance of factual information and the dangers of misinformation.
- Stay Calm and Informed:During critical periods, such as election days, stay calm and rely on official sources for updates. Avoid spreading unverified information that can contribute to panic or confusion.
- Support Media Literacy Programs:Media Literacy Programs in schools should be promoted to provide individuals with essential skills to sail through the information sea properly.
Conclusion
Preventing misinformation requires a collective effort from individuals, communities, and platforms. By adopting these best practices, citizens can play a vital role in reducing the impact of misinformation during electoral processes.
References:
- https://thewire.in/media/survey-finds-false-information-risk-highest-in-india
- https://thesouthfirst.com/pti/india-faces-highest-risk-of-disinformation-in-general-elections-world-economic-forum/
Executive Summary:
A viral online video claims Billionaire and Founder of Tesla & SpaceX Elon Musk of promoting Cryptocurrency. The CyberPeace Research Team has confirmed that the video is a deepfake, created using AI technology to manipulate Elon’s facial expressions and voice through the use of relevant, reputed and well verified AI tools and applications to arrive at the above conclusion for the same. The original footage had no connections to any cryptocurrency, BTC or ETH apportion to the ardent followers of crypto-trading. The claim that Mr. Musk endorses the same and is therefore concluded to be false and misleading.
Claims:
A viral video falsely claims that Billionaire and founder of Tesla Elon Musk is endorsing a Crypto giveaway project for the crypto enthusiasts which are also his followers by consigning a portion of his valuable Bitcoin and Ethereum stock.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the viral posts, we conducted a Google Lens search on the keyframes of the video. The search led us to various legitimate sources featuring Mr. Elon Musk but none of them included any promotion of any cryptocurrency giveaway. The viral video exhibited signs of digital manipulation, prompting a deeper investigation.
We used AI detection tools, such as TrueMedia.org, to analyze the video. The analysis confirmed with 99.0% confidence that the video was a deepfake. The tools identified "substantial evidence of manipulation," particularly in the facial movements and voice, which were found to be artificially generated.
Additionally, an extensive review of official statements and interviews with Mr. Musk revealed no mention of any such giveaway. No credible reports were found linking Elon Musk to this promotion, further confirming the video’s inauthenticity.
Conclusion:
The viral video claiming that Elon Musk promotes a crypto giveaway is a deep fake. The research using various tools such as Google Lens, AI detection tool confirms that the video is manipulated using AI technology. Additionally, there is no information in any official sources. Thus, the CyberPeace Research Team confirms that the video was manipulated using AI technology, making the claim false and misleading.
- Claim: Elon Musk conducting giving away Cryptocurrency viral on social media.
- Claimed on: X(Formerly Twitter)
- Fact Check: False & Misleading
