Fact check: AI fakes and old videos distort Iran protest coverage

Thursday 15 January 2026 - 11:00

By: Sahili Aya

Fact check: AI fakes and old videos distort Iran protest coverage

Ongoing protests in Iran are unfolding amid a severe information blackout, creating fertile ground for misinformation, including artificial intelligence–generated content and recycled videos from past events. As access to verified information becomes increasingly restricted, misleading images and footage are spreading rapidly on social media platforms.

Demonstrations against the Iranian authorities have been reported in multiple cities over the past two weeks. However, confirming what is happening on the ground remains extremely difficult. Internet shutdowns, phone service disruptions, and strict control over media access have significantly limited independent reporting. Foreign journalists face major obstacles, while citizens who attempt to document protests risk arrest or worse.

Human rights organizations outside Iran have reported a high death toll linked to the security forces’ response, though exact figures are hard to verify due to the lack of transparent information. In this environment, videos generated by artificial intelligence or taken from unrelated events are often presented online as current protest footage, further blurring the line between fact and fiction.

Experts note that these information restrictions are part of a long-standing strategy. By limiting communication channels, authorities create uncertainty and confusion, making it difficult for audiences inside and outside Iran to determine what is true. As a result, disinformation thrives, filling the void left by the absence of reliable, real-time reporting.