#FactCheck- AI-Generated Video of Alleged Iranian Attack on US Helicopter Goes Viral with False Claims
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media showing armed personnel attacking a helicopter. The video is being circulated with the claim that Iranian soldiers shot down a US military helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be false. The viral video is AI-generated and is being shared with misleading context.
Claim:
An X (formerly Twitter) user shared the video on June 10, 2026, with the caption: “This is great cinema. Breaking News: Iran used a $150 weapon to bring down a $1 billion US military aircraft. For the first time, America has met its real enemy.”
Post link and archive link can be seen below:
https://x.com/TheIncNews/status/2064758088012607544?s=20
https://archive.ph/LUDUz
Fact-Check
To verify the claim, we conducted a keyword search on Google. However, no credible media reports were found supporting this claim.
On closely examining the video, we suspected it to be AI-generated. We then analyzed it using the AI detection tool HIVE MODERATION. The results indicated that the video is 98% likely to be AI-generated.
In the next step, we further analyzed the video using another AI detection tool, SIGHTENGINE. The results showed a 99% probability of the video being AI-generated.
Conclusion:
Our research confirms that the viral video is AI-generated and does not depict any real-world incident. The content is being circulated with a misleading and false narrative, falsely linking it to ongoing geopolitical tensions, despite there being no credible evidence or verified reports supporting such a claim.
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Introduction
Social media is the new platform for free speech and expressing one’s opinions. The latest news breaks out on social media and is often used by political parties to propagate their parties during the elections. Hashtag (#)is the new weapon, a powerful hashtag that goes a long way in making an impact in society that so at a global level. Various hashtags have gained popularity in the last years, such as – #blacklivesmatter, #metoo, #pride, #cybersecurity, and many more, which were influential in spreading awareness among the people regarding various social issues and taboos, which then were removed from multiple cultures. Social media is strengthened by social media influencers who are famous personalities with a massive following as they create regular content that the users consume and share with their friends. Social media is all about the message and its speed, and hence issues like misinformation and disinformation are widespread on nearly all social media platforms, so the influencers play a keen role in making sure the content on social media is in compliance with its community and privacy guidelines.
The Know-How
The Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution released a guide, ‘Endorsements Know-hows!’ for celebrities, influencers, and virtual influencers on social media platforms, The guide aims to ensure that individuals do not mislead their audiences when endorsing products or services and that they are in compliance with the Consumer Protection Act and any associated rules or guidelines. Advertisements are no longer limited to traditional media like print, television, or radio, with the increasing reach of digital platforms and social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, there has been a rise in the influence of virtual influencers, celebrities, and social media influencers. This has led to an increased risk of consumers being misled by advertisements and unfair trade practices by these individuals on social media platforms. Endorsements must be made in simple, clear language, and terms such as “advertisement,” “sponsored,” or “paid promotion” can be used. They should not endorse any product or service and service in which they have done due diligence or that they have not personally used or experienced. The Act established guidelines for protecting consumers from unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements. The Department of Consumer Affairs published Guidelines for prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022, on 9th June 2022. These guidelines outline the criteria for valid advertisements and the responsibilities of manufacturers, service providers, advertisers, and advertising agencies. These guidelines also touched upon celebrities and endorsers. It states that misleading advertisements in any form, format, or medium are prohibited by law.
The guidelines apply to social media influencers as well as virtual avatars promoting products and services online. The disclosures should be easy to notice in post descriptions, where you can usually find hashtags or links. It should also be prominent enough to be noticeable in the content,
Changes Expected
The new guidelines will bring about uniformity in social media content in respect of privacy and the opinions of different people. The primary issue being addressed is misinformation, which was at its peak during the Covid-19 pandemic and impacted millions of people worldwide. The aspect of digital literacy and digital etiquette is a fundamental art of social media ethics, and hence social media influencers and celebrities can go a long way in spreading awareness about the same among common people and regular social media users. The increasing threats of cybercrimes and various exploitations over cyberspace can be eradicated with the help of efficient awareness and education among the youth and the vulnerable population, and the influencers can easily do the same, so its time that the influencers understand their responsibility of leading the masses online and create a healthy secure cyber ecosystem. Failing to follow the guidelines will make social media influencers liable for a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. In the case of repeated offenders, the penalty can go up to Rs 50 lakh.
Conclusion
The size of the social media influencer market in India in 2022 was $157 million. It could reach as much as $345 million by 2025. Indian advertising industry’s self-regulatory body Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), shared that Influencer violations comprise almost 30% of ads taken up by ASCI, hence this legal backing for disclosure requirements is a welcome step. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs had been in touch with ASCI to review the various global guidelines on influencers. The social media guidelines from Clairfirnia and San Fransisco share the same basis, and hence guidelines inspired by different countries will allow the user and the influencer to understand the global perspective and work towards securing the bigger picture. As we know that cyberspace has no geographical boundaries and limitations; hence now is the time to think beyond conventional borders and start contributing towards securing and safeguarding global cyberspace.
Executive Summary
Amid reports that AIIMS Delhi has initiated the process to implement the Supreme Court’s decision allowing passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, a video is being shared on social media claiming to show his emotional farewell. However, research by the CyberPeace found the viral claim to be misleading. Our research revealed that the video has no connection to the Harish Rana case. In reality, the footage is from Surat, Gujarat, where the family of a 45-year-old brain-dead woman donated her organs.
Claim:
On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), a user shared the viral video on March 16, 2026, with the caption:
“Harish Rana… struggled for life for 13 years… in the end said goodbye to the world through euthanasia… but even while leaving, gave new life to many through organ donation… eyes, liver, kidneys and several other organs will give a new life to many…”
Post link and archive link are given below:
Fact Check
We took screenshots from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. This led us to an Instagram handle where the same video was uploaded on January 27, 2026.
- https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUAt_42k2ME/
According to the caption on the Instagram post, the video shows a brain-dead woman in Surat whose liver, both kidneys, and eyes were donated. The post also included an image of the woman. Based on clues from the viral video, we conducted a keyword search on Google and found a report on the website of News18 Gujarati.
According to the report, organ donation by Ritaben Hareshbhai Korat in Surat gave a new life to five patients. The report also carried her photograph, matching the visuals seen in the viral video.
Conclusion:
Our research found that the viral video has no connection to Harish Rana. It actually shows an incident from Surat, Gujarat, where the family of a 45-year-old brain-dead woman, Ritaben Korat, donated her organs.
Executive Summary
A video showing armed personnel detaining individuals on board a ship is being widely shared on social media with the claim that Indian Navy’s MARCOS captured 35 Somali pirates during a recent anti-piracy operation. However, research by the CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be misleading. The viral video is actually from the joint military exercise ‘LAMITIYE 2026’, held in Seychelles in March, involving the Indian Armed Forces and the Seychelles Defence Forces.
Claim
Users on X (formerly Twitter) shared the clip with captions such as: “Indian Navy MARCOS captured 35 Somali pirates,” presenting it as footage of a recent anti-piracy mission.
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. This led us to the same video posted on March 20 by a Facebook page named “Defence Squad.” The caption identified the visuals as showing Indian Navy MARCOS and the Seychelles Defence Forces’ Special Operations Unit during the joint military exercise LAMITIYE 2026.
Link:
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/1263962865936234
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/1263962865936234
Further keyword searches led to multiple news reports carrying screenshots from the same video. These reports confirmed that the 11th India-Seychelles joint military exercise, LAMITIYE 2026, was conducted in Seychelles from March 9 to March 20.
We did not find any recent reports about the Indian Navy capturing Somali pirates. However, in March 2024, the Indian Navy had captured 35 Somali pirates who had hijacked a bulk carrier and taken hostages. The suspects were later handed over to Mumbai Police for legal proceedings.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading. The video being circulated as footage of an anti-piracy operation by the Indian Navy does not show the capture of Somali pirates. Instead, it is from the India-Seychelles joint military exercise ‘LAMITIYE 2026’, conducted in March with the participation of the Indian Armed Forces and the Seychelles Defence Forces. While the Indian Navy had indeed captured 35 Somali pirates in a separate incident in March 2024, there are no credible or recent reports linking such an operation to the viral video. The clip has been taken out of context and is being shared with a false narrative, leading to misinformation about a routine military exercise.
