Netizen Detained for Fabricating Links Between AI Images and Earthquake, Spreading False Information

Netizen Fabricates Links Between Images and Earthquake, Faces Administrative Detention

A netizen in Northwest China's Qinghai Province has been administratively detained by local public security authorities for fabricating links between a series of "buried boy images" and the earthquake in Xigaze, Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. The individual's actions misled the public and spread false information.

The incident unfolded after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County in Xizang Autonomous Region on Tuesday. A series of images featuring "a boy buried" with captions related to the earthquake and other keywords circulated widely online, attracting significant attention from netizens and even receiving tens of thousands of shares, comments, and likes.

Recognizing clear signs of AI generation in the images, the cybersecurity department of the public security authorities promptly launched an investigation. The investigation confirmed that the images were indeed created using AI tools.

Further investigation revealed that the original author had posted a short video with the same images on November 18, 2024, without linking it to the earthquake at that time and stated that it was AI-generated.

The netizen's actions violated Article 25 of China's Public Security Administration Punishments Law, which prohibits the intentional disturbance of public order by spreading rumors, making false reports of dangerous situations, epidemics, or warnings. The individual faces a detention of between five and 10 days and may be concurrently fined up to 500 yuan ($71.3).

The cybersecurity department under the MPS urges the public to carefully verify the authenticity of images by observing details, cross-checking from multiple sources, and using AI detection tools. Before confirming the information as true and reliable, do not forward it at will to avoid unintentionally promoting the spread of rumors.