Fact Check: Viral Tiananmen Square Video Supporting Taiwan Independence Is AI-Generated

 

On August 23, 2026, a user named J4207Jin posted a 10-second video on X. The video appears to show a person holding a Taiwanese flag and chanting slogans in Tiananmen Square. The person can be heard saying, “Taiwan is not part of China, and it is independent.” The video has been viewed more than 30,000 times, reposted 13 times, and liked 64 times.

However, a subsequent investigation revealed that the video was not authentic and had been generated using artificial intelligence. To assess the authenticity of the footage, the video was examined using Gemini and HIVE Moderation.

The video was initially analyzed using Gemini, which determined that the content had been generated using artificial intelligence. Gemini identified several features as potential indicators of AI generation, including inconsistencies in lighting and shadows, unnatural movements of people in the video, and irregularities in the background.

The video was subsequently analyzed using HIVE Moderation, which also indicated that the footage was AI-generated.

 

Frames from the video were also examined using Google’s reverse image search to determine whether the footage had previously appeared online. The investigation revealed that the video was not first shared on August 23, 2026, but had circulated on different social media platforms several months earlier. The earliest instance identified during the investigation was an X post by a user named MinMin89485072 on January 1, 2026. The video was later shared on Instagram by a user named hellotaiwanese on January 4, 2026.

In conclusion, the investigation indicates that the viral video does not authentically depict a person holding a Taiwanese flag and making pro-Taiwan independence statements in Tiananmen Square. Analyses conducted using Gemini and HIVE Moderation identified indicators suggesting that the footage was generated using artificial intelligence. Furthermore, reverse image searches revealed that the video had circulated online months before the August 23, 2026 post, with the earliest identified version dating back to January 1, 2026. This case demonstrates how AI-generated content can be presented as footage of a real-world political event and potentially mislead viewers. It also highlights the importance of verifying both the authenticity and original context of viral videos, particularly when they involve politically sensitive issues.

 

 

If you suspect that a video, image, or audio file has been created using artificial intelligence or deepfake technology and would like free assistance in verifying its authenticity, you may send the link to the content or the file itself to allaboutdeepfake@gmail.com

AI-Generated Video Falsely Claims to Show Iranian Missiles Prepared for Attack on Israel

On August 24, 2026, a user named IRGC_Press posted a 15-second video on X. The video shows military vehicles transporting a large missile decorated with Iranian flags, accompanied by police escort vehicles.

The post accompanying the video stated: “Breaking: Iran announces it will use multi-warhead missiles with massive destructive power in waves 92 and 93 of its attacks on Israel tonight. It will be devastating for the Zionists, and other surprises have been prepared for them!”

 

The video and accompanying post have been viewed 5,382 times, reposted 55 times, and liked 159 times.

However, a subsequent investigation revealed that the video was not authentic and had been generated using artificial intelligence. IRGC_Press regularly shares false or misleading information using AI-generated content on X. To assess the authenticity of the footage, the video was examined using Grok and HIVE Moderation.

The video was initially analyzed using Grok, which determined that the content had been generated using artificial intelligence. It was subsequently analyzed using HIVE Moderation, which also indicated that the footage was AI-generated.

 

Frames from the video were also analyzed using Google’s reverse image search to determine whether the footage had previously appeared online. The analysis revealed that the video was first shared by a Facebook user on April 4, 2026, and was subsequently circulated on various other social media platforms at different times.

In conclusion, the investigation indicates that the video does not depict authentic footage of Iranian military vehicles transporting a multi-warhead missile for an imminent attack on Israel. Analyses conducted using Grok and HIVE Moderation suggest that the video was generated using artificial intelligence. Furthermore, reverse image searches revealed that the footage had circulated online months before the claim posted on August 24, 2026, further undermining the assertion that it showed preparations for an attack that night. This case demonstrates how AI-generated content can be combined with urgent and alarming claims to create misleading narratives and potentially influence public perceptions during periods of heightened geopolitical tension. It also highlights the importance of verifying both the authenticity and original context of viral visual content before accepting or sharing claims associated with it.

 

 

 

If you suspect that a video, image, or audio file has been created using artificial intelligence or deepfake technology and would like free assistance in verifying its authenticity, you may send the link to the content or the file itself to allaboutdeepfake@gmail.com