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A netizen from Qinghai Province was recently detained for spreading false information by linking AI-generated "buried boy images" to the recent earthquake in Xigaze, Tibet, according to the Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on January 11, 2025. These images, which portrayed a boy buried in debris, were circulated online after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County in Xigaze on January 9. The images, accompanied by captions connecting them to the earthquake, gained widespread attention and were shared tens of thousands of times.
However, authorities quickly identified the images as AI-generated. The original video, which contained the same images, was first posted on November 18, 2024, without any mention of the earthquake, and the creator had confirmed the images were AI-generated at that time. Despite this, the recent posts falsely linked the images to the earthquake, misleading the public and causing confusion.
In response, the cybersecurity department launched an investigation, confirming that the images were fabricated and intended to spread rumors. Under China's Public Security Administration Punishments Law, individuals who intentionally spread false information to disturb public order can face administrative detention for 5 to 10 days, along with a fine of up to 500 yuan ($71.3). In this case, the detained netizen faced these penalties.
The MPS urged the public to verify images and information carefully, cross-checking details from multiple sources and using AI detection tools before sharing content. They emphasized the importance of not spreading unverified rumors, which can further mislead and harm the public.
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