TikTok removes viral AI images of Singaporeans missing in Nepal floods

On September 4, a TikTok video featuring AI-generated images of four Singaporeans missing in the Nepal floods gained more than 150,000 views before being taken down. The video, posted on August 31, showed four of the nine uncontactable Singaporeans after flash floods hit Tibet and Nepal. Real photos of three others accompanied the fabricated portraits.

TikTok removed the post on September 2 for violating its rules on edited media and AI-generated content, according to The Straits Times. The video showed images of Rengarajan Prabu, Shalinny Deavy Elan Sozan, Subramaniam Diraviam, and Rajesvaran Ayyavoo, while Loeh and the Rawlas appeared as genuine photographs. The four missing individuals were traveling with Leaf Holidays Treks and Expedition, which shared their photos on Facebook on August 28.

The AI images were likely derived from those photographs. Shalinny's family expressed disappointment as the fabricated image did not match her appearance, as she typically wore a red forehead mark. The family welcomed the post's removal. TikTok strengthened its efforts to detect misinformation during crises like natural disasters, resulting in the removal of other misleading posts.