An AI-generated Pentagon explosion image briefly went viral on Twitter as some "verified" accounts rocking the once highly coveted blue checks helped spread the hoax.
The faux photos alarmingly spread a fake narrative that the United States Pentagon has been under attack.
AI-Generated Pentagon Explosion Images Went Viral on Twitter
The Pentagon in Washington, DC, on Mya 10, 2023, in an aerial view.
The Twitterverse was thrown into a frenzy as a series of AI-generated images depicting a fictional explosion at the Pentagon spread like wildfire. Even more alarmingly, according to NBC News, these fake images were posted by supposedly 'verified' accounts.
It all began when seemingly authentic images of a massive explosion engulfing the iconic Pentagon building started making rounds on Twitter.
The fake AI-generated image shows a large plume of smoke next to a building resembling the Pentagon, seemingly depicting a post-explosion scene. The photos were more than just eerily realistic. They were also posted by 'verified' accounts sporting blue checkmarks, typically associated with credible sources.
It is worth noting that Twitter started selling once highly-coveted verification badges or blue checkmarks for $8 a month via its premium subscription service called Blue. Besides the blue check, it also flaunts additional features exclusive to paying subscribers.
Due to the verification badge and the utter accuracy of an AI-generated image, users were caught off guard, with many sharing the photos without hesitation.
Gizmodo reports that various "verified" Twitter users posted the fake AI-generated photo with a caption that alerted people about an emergency in the Pentagon. One of the accounts that share such a hoax is an account pretending to be the trusted news outlet, Bloomberg. The impersonation goes by the username @BloombergFeed, carrying the same branding as the real deal.
Interestingly, the Russian state media, RT, which sports a gold checkmark, tweeted about the fake explosion. The post says, "Reports of an explosion near the Pentagon in Washington DC. But hours after, it deleted the tweet. Yet, it still gained roughly 38,000 views, Gizmodo notes. Meanwhile, an Indian news channel, Republic TV, even ran an entire news report based on the AI-generated image.
Police Say Pentagon Explosion Images Were Fake
This illustration photo taken on January 30, 2023 shows a phone screen displaying a post on Elon Musk's Twitter account stating "Yikes. Def not me" with an allegedly fake video of him promoting a new cryptocurrency scam shown in the background, in Washington, DC.
As per Insider, the Arlington Police Department took to Twitter to refute the viral images of the Pentagon engulfed in thick smoke spreading on Twitter like wildfire. The local police say they know the fake photos are going viral online.
However, the police confirm, "There is NO explosion or incident taking place at or near the Pentagon reservation." They continued to assure that despite the viral pictures, "there is no immediate danger or hazards to the public."
Gizmodo notes that several Twitter users also refuted the fake images of the Pentagon explosion. However, some users continue to spread the AI-generated hoax.
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