Navigating the Path to CyberPeace: Insights and Strategies
Featured #factCheck Blogs
Executive Summary
A video circulating on social media claims that during a summit in Beijing, Donald Trump was seen peeking into Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “private notebook” while Xi briefly stepped away. However, a fact-check by CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be baseless. A review of the full event footage clearly shows that the folder in question belonged to Donald Trump himself, not Xi Jinping. The viral interpretation is therefore misleading.
Claim
An X user shared the clip alleging, “Trump caught sneaking a peek at Xi Jinping’s private notebook during a Beijing banquet while Xi stepped away.”
Fact Check
A longer version of the video, shared by NBC News on May 14, shows the state banquet held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Around the 1-minute-50-second mark, Xi Jinping, seated to Trump’s left, gets up and walks to the podium. The viral clip follows shortly after, showing Trump opening the folder placed to his left and flipping through its pages.
The White House also uploaded the full footage on its official YouTube channel, showing wider, uninterrupted shots of the event. Around the two-minute mark, the announcer says, “And now a toast by President Xi,” after which Xi Jinping stands up. Immediately after, Trump is seen opening the folder on his left and reading from it.
Later in the video, around the 12-minute mark, when Xi returns to his seat, Trump is seen standing up, taking the folder with him to the podium, turning pages, and reading from it. The same sequence can also be seen in the NBC News footage at around 11 minutes and 50 seconds. This clearly indicates that the folder belonged to the U.S. President and not Xi Jinping, and that Trump was not peeking into any private notebook. Another key detail is the embossed emblem on the folder, which closely resembles the Seal of the President of the United States. The American bald eagle, the national bird of the United States, is clearly visible at the centre. A comparison between the viral screenshot and the official seal shows they are nearly identical.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading and taken out of context. A detailed review of the full footage, including official recordings from NBC News and the White House, clearly shows that the folder in question belonged to Donald Trump and not Chinese President Xi Jinping. At multiple points in the video, Trump is seen opening, handling, and reading from the same folder, including while Xi Jinping is away from his seat and later after he returns. The visual evidence from the event also supports this conclusion. The embossed seal on the folder matches the official Seal of the President of the United States, further confirming that it was part of Trump’s official briefing material and not any private document belonging to Xi Jinping. Taken together, the full sequence of events and official video sources make it clear that the viral narrative has been incorrectly framed. There is no evidence to suggest that Trump was peeking into Xi Jinping’s personal notebook.
Executive Summary
A graphic widely circulating on social media claims that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has warned, “A major crisis is coming; if possible, skip one meal a day.” The claim has been found to be false in a fact-check conducted by CyberPeace Research Wing. The research revealed that Amit Shah has not made any such statement.
Claim
A Facebook user shared the viral graphic on May 17, 2026, claiming that BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah issued a “warning” to the public, allegedly saying people should be prepared for a major crisis and consider skipping one meal a day. The post has been widely circulated on social media, drawing significant attention and discussion.
- https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1509406197622070&set=pb.100056581115590.-2207520000&type=3
- https://archive.ph/Z9Tle
Factcheck
A keyword-based search on Google did not return any credible news reports supporting the claim. Further scrutiny of the official account of the Ministry of Home Affairs on X also found no mention or statement matching the viral claim.
A separate review of the official X account of Home Minister Amit Shah also did not show any such statement or post confirming the viral claim.
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has not made any such statement.
Executive Summary
Images showing collapsed buildings are being widely shared on social media following a powerful earthquake in Indonesia, with users claiming they depict the aftermath of the recent 7.4-magnitude quake. However, research by the CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be misleading. The viral images are not from the recent earthquake but from past tremors, and were published by major international news agencies in 2018, 2021 and 2022.
- https://perma.cc/6BTK-2V6T
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/1272067278357847%20no%20other%20snapshots%20from%20this%20url
Fact Check
The posts surfaced after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Kota Ternate in eastern Indonesia in the early hours of April 2, 2026, killing one person after a building collapse, as reported by international media.
To verify the authenticity of the images, we conducted reverse image and keyword searches on Google. The first image was found to be part of a wider photograph published by The Associated Press on January 15, 2021.
The third image was traced to Getty Images, which published it on October 2, 2018. According to its description, the image shows rubble and debris around a mosque in Palu, Central Sulawesi, following a 7.5-magnitude earthquake.
These findings confirm that the viral images are unrelated to the recent earthquake and have been taken from older incidents.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading. The images circulating online do not show the aftermath of the April 2026 earthquake in Indonesia. Instead, they are old visuals from previous earthquakes, reused with a false and misleading context.
Executive Summary
A video showing a helicopter engulfed in flames is being widely circulated on social media with the claim that it depicts an American Black Hawk helicopter shot down by Iran during the ongoing Middle East conflict. However, research by the CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be false. The viral footage is old and dates back to February 2020, showing a helicopter shot down in Syria, not Iran.
Claim
A Facebook post shared from Nigeria on April 6, 2026, claimed: “The moment an American Black Hawk helicopter was struck by an Iranian heat-seeking missile.” The post, which has been shared over 100 times, includes a 50-second video showing a helicopter exploding mid-air and crashing to the ground.
Fact Check
On April 3, a US F-15E Strike Eagle was reportedly shot down over Iran, marking the first such incident since the start of the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Two Black Hawk helicopter deployed for a search-and-rescue mission for the jet’s crew were also hit by Iranian fire but managed to return to base, despite some crew members being injured.
- http://abcnews.com/Politics/us-fighter-jet-iran-search-rescue-officials/story?id=131685787&utm_source=chatgpt.com
US President Donald Trump had earlier announced the recovery of a missing pilot, describing it as “one of the most daring search and rescue operations in US history.
”
However, the viral video being shared as evidence of the downing of a US aircraft predates these events. Using reverse image search on keyframes from the clip, we found a longer version published by Euronews on February 11, 2020. The Arabic title of the video translates to: “Syrian regime helicopter shot down in Idlib, two pilots killed.” Reports indicate that the incident occurred in Idlib, Syria, in February 2020, where a military helicopter was shot down and caught fire before crashing.
The incident was also covered by other international media outlets, including AFP, which distributed images and videos of the crash.
- https://www.afpforum.com/AFPForum/Search/ViewMedia.aspx?mui=1&hid=5DFA75509C25E3CDC3F24CA3B41C1A9A854C8AA3EB2BC1C64FCC0192F0506138
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. The footage does not show an American helicopter shot down by Iran. Instead, it is an old video from February 2020 depicting a helicopter crash in Syria, which is being shared with a misleading and unrelated narrative.
Executive Summary
A video clip bearing the logo of News18 is being widely shared on social media with the claim that a serving Indian Army brigadier and his son were attacked in Delhi by an RSS-supporting mob for criticising the government over “Operation Sindoor.” The clip features an anchor allegedly explaining the motive behind the assault. However, research by the CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be false. The viral video has been digitally manipulated, with its audio altered to include misleading information.
Claim
An X user (@Mohammad776157) shared a video clip from Network18 on April 13, claiming that a serving Indian Army brigadier and his son were attacked in Delhi by an RSS-supporting mob for criticising the government over “Operation Sindoor.”
- https://x.com/Mohammad776157/status/2043691737609347166?s=20
- https://archive.ph/5EpbJ
To verify the claim, we extracted multiple keyframes from the viral video using the InVid tool and conducted reverse image searches via Google Lens. The same clip was found circulating across several social media platforms with similar claims.
- https://www.facebook.com/reel/2397972117364665
- https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXE4FFdjcnq/
- https://archive.ph/hjG3b
- https://archive.ph/9IkTY
Fact Check
Since the video carried the News18 logo, we examined the outlet’s official social media handles. We found the original video on its X account, where the visuals matched the viral clip. However, a detailed analysis of the original footage showed that the anchor never stated that the brigadier and his son were attacked for criticising the government over “Operation Sindoor.”
In the authentic version, the anchor reported that the assault took place in Delhi’s Vasant Enclave after the brigadier objected to two individuals consuming alcohol inside a car parked outside his residence. This clearly indicates that the audio in the viral clip was tampered with to insert a false narrative.
For further verification, we extracted the audio segment from the viral clip and analysed it using Resemble AI. The tool indicated that the portion describing the motive behind the attack had been digitally manipulated.
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. The video has been altered by modifying its audio to mislead viewers. In reality, the assault was not related to “Operation Sindoor” but occurred after the brigadier objected to public drinking near his residence.
Executive Summary
A CCTV video showing a man being shot is being widely circulated on social media with the claim that it depicts the killing of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Amir Hamza in Pakistan. However, research by the CyberPeace Research Wing found that the claim is misleading. The viral video existed online even before the reported attack on Amir Hamza.
Claim
Social media users are sharing a CCTV clip claiming that Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Amir Hamza was shot dead in Pakistan.
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we first searched relevant keywords such as “Maulana Amir Hamza firing Lahore.” This led us to a report published on April 17, 2026, by The Hindu. Citing Pakistani channel 24 News HD TV, the report stated that unidentified attackers opened fire on the car of TV host Justice Nazir Ahmed Ghazi. Amir Hamza was injured in the incident, not killed.
We also reviewed the official social media accounts of 24 News HD TV. A post on its X handle (@24NewsHD) confirmed that Justice Ghazi was safe, while Amir Hamza sustained injuries in the firing incident in Lahore.
For further verification, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and performed a reverse image search. The same clip was found uploaded on March 28, 2026, on a Pakistani Facebook page. According to the post, the CCTV footage was linked to the killing of an individual named Saifullah Malakhel.
Although we could not independently verify the exact origin of the video, our findings clearly indicate that the footage predates the recent attack on Amir Hamza and is unrelated to the incident.
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. Amir Hamza was not killed but reportedly injured in the firing incident, as per credible media reports. The CCTV video being shared in this context is old and unrelated, and has been circulated with a misleading narrative.
Executive Summary
A video showing a building engulfed in flames is going viral on social media, with users claiming it depicts an attack by Hezbollah on Israel’s military headquarters. The clip is being shared with assertions that several Israeli soldiers were killed and many remain trapped inside the burning structure. However, a research by the CyberPeace Research Wing found that the claim is false. The viral video is not from Israel but from New York City in the Manhattan area, where a residential building caught fire.
Claim
A Facebook user, ‘Nazim Khan Tirwadiya’, shared the video on April 15, 2026, claiming that Hezbollah had targeted an Israeli military headquarters, resulting in heavy casualties and ongoing fire.
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. This led us to a longer version of the same clip uploaded on the YouTube channel “FDNY Response Videos” on April 12, 2026. The video description identified the location as Manhattan, New York City.
Further keyword searches led us to a report published by ABC7NY on April 12, 2026. According to the report, a massive fire broke out in a six-storey apartment building in Manhattan’s Midtown area around 6 a.m. Firefighters worked extensively to control the blaze, and two firefighters sustained minor injuries. No fatalities were reported.
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. The video does not show an attack on Israel by Hezbollah. Instead, it captures a fire incident in a residential building in Manhattan, New York City. The clip has been shared with a misleading narrative unrelated to the actual event.
Executive Summary
A post is rapidly going viral on social media claiming to show Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Ishan Kishan, CEO Kavya Maran, and the team seeking blessings in front of a portrait of Jesus Christ at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium before a match. The image is being shared as a genuine pre-match moment. However, research by the CyberPeace found that the viral image is not real but generated using artificial intelligence (AI). There are no credible media reports or official updates from Sunrisers Hyderabad confirming any such pre-match activity. Further analysis using multiple AI detection tools also indicated that the image is likely synthetic. Therefore, the claim made in the viral post is false.
Claim
A Facebook user shared the image with the caption:“Preparation starts from within. Before taking the field at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, and the SRH squad seek blessings. With Kavya Maran and the team united in faith, the Orange Army is ready for battle!”
- https://archive.ph/wip/dtbZ0
- https://www.facebook.com/13CricketNews/posts/preparation-starts-from-within-before-taking-the-field-at-the-rajiv-gandhi-stadi/1790225659038036/
Fact Check
A close inspection of the viral image revealed several inconsistencies. A cooler box in the image bears a sticker of Mumbai Indians, even though Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad had not played each other in IPL 2026 at the time implied by the claim. Their scheduled match is set for April 29, 2026, at Wankhede Stadium, not at the Hyderabad venue shown in the image.
- https://www.iplt20.com/teams/sunrisers-hyderabad/schedule
Additionally, the image incorrectly displays Dream11 as the title sponsor for SRH, whereas Shree Cement is the official title sponsor for the IPL 2026 season.
To further verify authenticity, the image was analysed using AI detection tools. Hive Moderation assigned it a 99.9% probability of being AI-generated, strongly indicating that it is not genuine.
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. The image showing Sunrisers Hyderabad players and their CEO praying before a match is AI-generated and does not depict a real event. It has been circulated with a misleading narrative and lacks any factual basis.
Executive Summary
A video is being widely shared on social media showing a man in an army uniform jumping from a height, losing balance mid-air, and appearing to meet with an accident. The clip is being circulated as a real-life incident. However, a research by the CyberPeace found the claim to be false. The viral video is not real but AI-generated.
Claim
On social media platform Facebook, a user shared the video with a caption suggesting it shows a real accident, warning against risky stunts.
- https://archive.ph/BH6dl#selection-347.0-347.122
- https://www.facebook.com/ashok.yadav.9041083/posts/1593460528549619/
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we conducted a reverse image search using Google Lens but found no credible news reports or official sources mentioning such an incident. A closer look at the video revealed several inconsistencies commonly associated with AI-generated content. For instance, the person appears to disappear momentarily while falling, the head is not clearly visible after impact, and the background audio seems unnatural. We further analyzed the video using AI detection tools. On Hive Moderation, the video showed a 99.2% probability of being AI-generated.
Additionally, analysis using Sightengine indicated a 98% likelihood that the video was synthetically created.
Conclusion
The viral claim is false. The video does not depict a real incident but is an AI-generated clip. It has been shared with a misleading narrative, and there is no evidence to support the claim that it shows an actual accident.
Executive Summary
Misleading claims related to an incident in Delhi are being widely circulated on social media. Several posts allege that an Indian Army brigadier and his son were assaulted while returning from a “dance club party.” The posts further claim that the attack was triggered by remarks related to “Operation Sindoor.” However, research by the CyberPeace found that these claims are completely false and fabricated.
Claim
On social media platform X, some users (including @ManipurPost5) shared posts claiming that an Indian Army brigadier and his son were attacked after returning from a dance club. The posts also alleged that the altercation escalated after someone mocked “Operation Sindoor.”
Fact check
To verify the claim, we conducted keyword searches on Google and found a report published by Republic World on April 14, 2026, which included visuals similar to those being circulated.
According to the report, the victims were identified as Brigadier Parminder Singh Arora, a serving Indian Army officer, and his son Tejas Arora. At the time of the incident, they were taking a walk near their residence after dinner. Reports state that they noticed a group of individuals consuming alcohol inside a parked car in a public place and objected to it. This led to an argument, which later escalated into a violent assault. Around 7–8 individuals allegedly attacked the brigadier and his son, with the son sustaining more serious injuries. Questions have also been raised about the role of police personnel present at the scene. Following the complaint, a case was registered, one police constable was suspended, and two accused individuals have been arrested so far. The vehicle involved has also been seized. Further verification led us to another report published by India Today on April 14, 2026, which corroborated the same details of the incident.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading and entirely false.The incident has no connection to any “dance club party” or to “Operation Sindoor.” In reality, the altercation began after the brigadier objected to public drinking near his residence.
Executive Summary
Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, recently passed a bill allowing military courts to impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis. Amid this backdrop, a video has gone viral on social media showing men in black uniforms beating detainees inside a prison, with claims linking it to alleged torture by Israeli forces. However, a research by the CyberPeace found the claim to be false. The viral video is not related to Israel or any real incident, but is actually from an Iraqi television series titled “Beit Umm Layla.”
Claim
Sharing the video, a user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:“Live footage: IDF soldiers always torture Palestinian hostages before executing them. Please don’t let us die in silence.”
Fact Check
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a reverse image search. This led us to a longer version of the clip posted on March 9 by the Iraqi channel Al-Iraqiya on its Facebook and Instagram pages.
The posts clearly identified the footage as part of “Beit Umm Layla,” a popular Iraqi TV series. Further research showed that the full series is available on Al-Iraqiya’s official YouTube channel, where 25 episodes were uploaded between February 19 and March 20. The viral clip corresponds to Episode 16 of the show.
Additionally, information available on the Arabic entertainment website elCinema indicates that the series, released on February 18, is a socio-political drama focusing on prisoners and the psychological struggles faced by them and their families.
Conclusion
The viral claim is false and misleading. The video does not depict any real incident involving Israeli forces or Palestinian detainees. Instead, it is a fictional scene from an Iraqi television drama series.There is no credible evidence to support the claim that the footage shows torture by Israeli soldiers. The clip has been taken out of context and shared with a misleading narrative to provoke emotional reactions.
Executive Summary
Amid uncertainty over the future of the two-week ceasefire following 21 hours of inconclusive talks between the United States and Iran, two videos linked to Israel are going viral on social media.In one clip, a man speaking at a microphone is suddenly attacked by another person. Some users claim the video shows an incident inside Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.
In another video, a similar scene is being shared with the claim that a Member of Parliament assaulted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, a research by the CyberPeace found both claims to be false. The videos are old and unrelated to Israel.
Claim
An Instagram user shared one of the videos claiming it shows an attack inside the Israeli parliament.Another user shared a similar clip alleging that an MP assaulted Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Fact Check
First Video
We extracted keyframes from the first viral clip and conducted a reverse image search. The footage was found on the YouTube channel of AFP News Agency, uploaded on April 15, 2024. According to the report, the video shows a scuffle inside the parliament of Georgia. The clash broke out after the government reintroduced a controversial bill, during which an opposition leader punched a ruling party MP, triggering chaos in the chamber.
The same incident was also reported by BBC on April 16, 2024, confirming that the video is from Georgia and not Israel.
Second Video
The second video has also circulated earlier with similar claims. Verification shows that it dates back to January 2013 and is from Bulgaria. Footage uploaded by the YouTube channel “On Demand News” on January 19, 2013 shows an attack on Bulgarian political leader Ahmed Dogan, when a man pointed a gun at him before being overpowered by security personnel.
Conclusion
The viral claims are false and misleading. Neither of the videos is related to Israel. The first clip is from Georgia’s parliament in April 2024, while the second dates back to a 2013 incident in Bulgaria. Both videos have been taken out of context and falsely linked to Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to mislead viewers.
There is no evidence of any such attack in Israel’s parliament or on its prime minister as claimed. Users are advised to verify information before sharing such content, especially during sensitive geopolitical situations.
Executive Summary
A video showing a military convoy moving along a road is being widely circulated on social media with the claim that the entry of CRPF forces into West Bengal has changed the situation on the ground, suggesting strict action is underway during the ongoing elections. However, research by CyberPeace found the claim to be misleading. The video is not recent and has been available online since February 2025.
Claim
The 12-second viral clip shows multiple heavy vehicles moving in a convoy on a road. It has been shared on X (formerly Twitter) with a caption claiming that CRPF’s entry into West Bengal has led to a shift from dialogue to strong action, along with communal assertions.
Fact Check
During the verification process, we found that the same video had been posted by several X users around February 17, 2025. In those earlier posts, the video was described as being from Manipur, not West Bengal.
Further analysis revealed that the video contains background audio in the Manipuri language. To confirm this, we contacted a Manipuri journalist, who stated that the audio includes announcements asking people to stay indoors and avoid gathering on the streets. Notably, this audio is missing in the currently viral version of the clip.Although we could not independently verify the exact date and precise location of the footage, visual elements such as road dividers and streetlight patterns closely resemble those found in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur.
Additionally, reports confirm that central armed police forces have indeed been deployed in West Bengal for election duties in multiple phases. However, there is no evidence linking this specific video to those deployments.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading. The video does not show CRPF deployment in West Bengal during the ongoing elections. Instead, it appears to be an older clip from Manipur, likely recorded in early 2025, and has been shared with a false and communal narrative. There is no credible evidence to support the claim made alongside the video. Users are advised to verify content before sharing, especially during sensitive events like elections.
Executive Summary
Iran’s official news agencies have denied claims that senior officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, have arrived in Pakistan for talks. A senior official told Iran’s Tasnim News Agency that Tehran is considering Pakistan’s proposal for peace talks, but any dialogue would depend on the United States fulfilling its commitment to halt military actions on all fronts.
Notably, the United States and Iran had agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 8, 2026, with discussions reportedly scheduled for April 11 in Islamabad. Amid this backdrop, a video showing fighter jets escorting a large aircraft is being widely circulated on social media. Users claim that Pakistan deployed these jets to escort an Iranian delegation into the country.
However, an research by the CyberPeace found the claim to be false. The viral video is not recent and dates back to 2019.
Claim
An X (formerly Twitter) user shared the video claiming that Pakistan Air Force jets were escorting an Iranian delegation into Pakistan.
Fact Check
Reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video led us to a February 18, 2019 report by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The report stated that the fighter jets were deployed by Pakistan to escort the aircraft of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to Pakistan on February 17, 2019.
Further verification led us to the same footage uploaded on YouTube by the channel “SCMP Archive” on July 6, 2020. At the time, Pakistan’s Air Force had described the escort as part of a ceremonial welcome tradition for visiting dignitaries.
Conclusion
The viral claim is misleading. The video does not show Pakistani fighter jets escorting an Iranian delegation amid ongoing ceasefire talks. Instead, it is an old clip from 2019, when Pakistan deployed JF-17 fighter jets to welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his official visit. There is no evidence linking the video to current geopolitical developments involving Iran and Pakistan. The footage has been taken out of context and reshared with a false narrative to mislead viewers.
