Deutsche Welle’s fact-check reveals that recent anti-government protests in Iran have been accompanied by a surge of AI-generated misinformation and outdated videos shared on social media. While real demonstrations have occurred, several viral clips including those showing massive crowds or dramatic “blackouts” were found to be digital fakes or footage from previous years. This disinformation campaign has complicated efforts to verify the true scale of the unrest as the Iranian government continues to restrict internet access.
Date: January 14, 2026. Source: dw.com