Internet & Viral
32 articles in this category
7 Viral Photos This Week: Real or Fake?
From AI-generated politicians to fake tech products, here are the seven most viral photos of the week and our verdict on each one. Spoiler: most of them are not what they appear to be.
Even the Robots Can't Tell What's Real Anymore
As deepfake technology advances faster than detection methods, we examine why even the most sophisticated AI systems struggle to distinguish real from fake — and what this means for the future of truth online.
ChatGPT and Gemini Just Failed Their Own Fact-Check
In a series of tests, we found that ChatGPT and Gemini both failed to reliably identify AI-generated images, often providing confident but incorrect assessments. Here are the specific cases where they went wrong.
The Viral Japan Robot Video That's Only Half True
A video claiming to show advanced Japanese robots performing complex tasks has gone viral. While Japan is a leader in robotics, the specific video significantly exaggerates current capabilities through CGI enhancement.
Debunked: The 'iPhone Duo After 3 Months' Damage Photo Is Fake
A viral image claiming to show severe damage to an 'iPhone Duo' after just three months of use has been exposed as AI-generated. No such Apple product exists, and the image contains telltale signs of AI fabrication.
Real or Fake: That Cracked Folding iPhone Photo Going Viral
A photo showing a supposedly cracked folding iPhone has gone viral on tech forums and social media. We investigated and found that no folding iPhone exists yet — the image is AI-generated.
Real or Fake: Did AI Make This Russian Official Look Bigger On Camera?
A viral photo of Russian official Igor Chaika appeared to show him with exaggerated body proportions. Our investigation reveals the image was digitally manipulated to make him appear more physically imposing.
Debunked: That Merz-Epstein Picture Everyone's Sharing Is AI-Generated
The viral image showing Friedrich Merz with Jeffrey Epstein has been conclusively debunked. Here is how the fake was created, who may be behind it, and how it spread across the internet.
Real or Fake: The Viral Photo of Germany's Chancellor With Jeffrey Epstein
A photo claiming to show German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meeting Jeffrey Epstein has gone viral on social media. We investigated the image and found clear signs of AI generation.
Is the Simulation Theory Real?
Elon Musk says there's a "one in billions" chance we're NOT in a simulation. Philosophers and physicists weigh in on whether reality is actually a computer program.
Is the Dark Web Red Room Real?
Urban legend claims that "red rooms" on the dark web livestream torture and murder. We investigate whether any evidence supports these horrifying claims.
Is Area 51 Hiding Aliens?
Area 51 is the most famous secret military base in the world. The government denied its existence for decades. But is it really hiding alien technology?
Are Subliminal Messages Real?
Can hidden messages in ads, music, and media really control your mind without you knowing? Science has a clear answer.
Is the Mandela Effect Real?
Millions of people share identical false memories. Is the Mandela Effect evidence of parallel universes — or just how human memory works?
Is Slenderman Real?
Slenderman started as a Photoshop contest entry and became a cultural phenomenon that inspired real violence. We trace the full story.
Is Momo Real?
The Momo Challenge terrified parents worldwide, with claims that a creepy figure was encouraging children to harm themselves. We separate fact from panic.
Is the Backrooms Real?
The Backrooms — an infinite maze of yellow rooms — became one of the internet's biggest horror phenomena. We trace it from a creepypasta to a cultural sensation.
Is Skinwalker Ranch Real?
Skinwalker Ranch in Utah is called the most scientifically studied paranormal hotspot on Earth. We examine the claims, the investigations, and the evidence.
Are Werewolves Real?
Legends of humans transforming into wolves span centuries and continents. We explore the real medical conditions and historical events behind the werewolf myth.
Are Ghosts Real?
Nearly half of Americans believe in ghosts. We examine the scientific evidence — and the psychological explanations — behind one of humanity's oldest beliefs.
Is Mothman Real?
In 1966, witnesses in Point Pleasant, West Virginia reported a terrifying winged creature with glowing red eyes. Decades later, the Mothman legend endures. We examine the evidence.
Are Dragons Real?
Dragons appear in the myths of cultures across every continent. Could these universal legends have a basis in reality? We investigate the evidence.
Are Vampires Real?
Vampire legends exist in cultures around the world, and some real medical conditions mimic vampiric traits. We separate the myth from the science.
Are Mermaids Real?
Mermaids appear in the mythology of virtually every seafaring culture. But is there any scientific evidence that these half-human, half-fish creatures exist?
Is Nosey the Animatronic Real? TikTok's Viral Robot Bunny Explained
A giant robotic bunny called Nosey has taken TikTok by storm, with videos showing it escaping workshops and chasing people. But is this terrifying animatronic real or AI-generated? We investigate.
Is Pennywise Real? The True Story Behind Stephen King's IT
The terrifying clown from Stephen King's IT has haunted generations. But is Pennywise based on a real person or true events? We investigate the real-life inspirations behind fiction's most feared clown.
Is the Poop Competition in Spain Real or Fake?
Viral posts claim Spain hosts a bizarre poop competition. We investigate the origins of this claim and uncover the surprising truth behind Catalonia's scatological traditions.
Is Wrestling Real or Fake?
The age-old debate about professional wrestling: is it real or fake? The answer is more nuanced than you might think.
Judge Porter YouTube: Real or Fake?
Judge Porter's YouTube courtroom show has millions of views, but viewers are divided: are the cases real or is it all scripted? We investigate.
Mel's Hole: Real or Fake?
A supposedly bottomless pit in Washington state that can bring animals back from the dead. The legend of Mel's Hole has captivated the internet for decades.
Is Father Christmas Real or Fake?
The age-old question that divides generations. We investigate the origins, the evidence, and the cultural impact of the Father Christmas legend.
Edward Mordrake: Real or Fake?
The story of a man born with a second face on the back of his head has haunted people for over a century. But did Edward Mordrake actually exist?