Author: Cielito Wang

2025 Misinformation Recap: The Year’s Most Viral False Claims

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Throughout 2025, misinformation spread rapidly across digital platforms, affecting health, consumer products, and technology. This recap documents the year’s most significant viral falsehoods, from fabricated celebrity news and AI-generated videos to misleading health claims and false product warnings. As content becomes more sophisticated, understanding and identifying misinformation has become essential for navigating our digital information […]

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Does Eating “7 Baby Carrots Before Bed” Improve Sleep?

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A viral TikTok trend claims eating seven baby carrots before bed helps you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. This simple “sleep hack” has gained popularity due to its accessibility and apparent harmlessness. However, scientific evidence and expert commentary do not support this claim. Social Media Posts Short-form videos shared widely on TikTok and […]

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Viral Image of Maduro’s Arrest Is AI-Generated, Capture Is Real

Cielito WangLeave a Comment on Viral Image of Maduro’s Arrest Is AI-Generated, Capture Is Real

In early January 2026, reports emerged that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by U.S. forces during a military operation and transported to the United States to face federal charges, including narco-terrorism. This event triggered intense global interest and widespread online discussion. Alongside credible news coverage, a surge of misinformation […]

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Viral Story of 91-Year-Old Woman Arrested for Stealing Husband’s Medication Is Hoax

Cielito WangLeave a Comment on Viral Story of 91-Year-Old Woman Arrested for Stealing Husband’s Medication Is Hoax

A story circulating on social media claims a 91-year-old woman was arrested for stealing her 88-year-old husband’s heart medication after the prescription price allegedly rose from about $50 to around $950, and that a judge later dismissed the case and ordered help paying for the medication. The post has been shared widely on platforms such […]

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No, China Does Not Require Biometric ID Checks to Leave Your Neighborhood

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Social media posts claim that China operates a mandatory biometric “digital ID” system for all citizens, linked to an AI surveillance network with “hundreds of millions of facial recognition cameras,” requiring biometric verification for daily activities including food purchases. The posts also claim that a “social credit score” automatically triggers travel bans, loan denials, and […]

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Viral Video of Tornado on Florida Beach is AI-Generated, Not Real

Cielito WangLeave a Comment on Viral Video of Tornado on Florida Beach is AI-Generated, Not Real

A short video has circulated on TikTok and has since been reposted widely on X, claiming to show a massive tornado forming over the ocean and making landfall on a Florida beach. However, our review found this claim to be false. Social Media Posts Multiple users shared a short video claiming it shows a recent […]

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Viral Video of Dog Shelter Where “Dogs Choose Their Humans” Is AI-Generated, Not Real Footage

Cielito WangLeave a Comment on Viral Video of Dog Shelter Where “Dogs Choose Their Humans” Is AI-Generated, Not Real Footage

A viral video shared on TikTok and reuploaded to Facebook, X, LinkedIn and other platforms claims to show a unique dog shelter where “the dogs choose their humans.” In the clip, the dogs “intuitively” select their new owners. Many viewers have shared the video as evidence of a real shelter and a pioneering adoption method. […]

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No, HAARP and a “NATO Beast Computer” Are Not Causing Natural Disasters in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia

Cielito WangLeave a Comment on No, HAARP and a “NATO Beast Computer” Are Not Causing Natural Disasters in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia

A viral message circulating across social media claims that natural disasters in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia are being caused by a “climate weapon,” possibly linked to HAARP, NATO’s “Beast computer,” or the Pentagon. The post urges the public to “ask NATO to unplug HAARP” to stop floods and storms. Such claims typically emerge during […]

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No Evidence Supports Viral Claim About Zelenskyy’s Russian Passport and Moscow Property

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A viral claim circulating widely online asserts that hackers from the Anonymous group breached the Russian state real-estate registry (Rosreestr) and discovered a Russian passport issued in Crimea in 2015 and Moscow-City real-estate owned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, we found the claim to be part of a disinformation campaign. The claim is therefore […]

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Video Claims to Show Sri Lanka’s Cyclone Ditwah Flood Damage is Misleading

Cielito WangLeave a Comment on Video Claims to Show Sri Lanka’s Cyclone Ditwah Flood Damage is Misleading

A viral video circulating on Facebook claims to show heartbreaking scenes from Sri Lanka, with captions stating: “Heartbreaking news from Sri Lanka… 47 lives lost as Cyclone Ditwah strikes.” The clip has been widely shared during ongoing extreme weather updates in the region. However, our investigation found that the compilation does not show Sri Lanka. […]

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