In June 2023, rumors that the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) warned of an “internet apocalypse” spread virally on platforms like TikTok and Reddit: What’s going on with NASA saying we could lose i
Publication: instagram
Logically→ Fake screenshot claims India has banned Instagram
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘This Photo From the France Pension Strike Last Week Goes So Hard’
On March 14 2023, the account @UnionDrip shared a photograph to Twitter, adding that the image, which was described as being “from the France pension strike” in March 2023 “goes so hard”: This photo from the France pension str
Logically→ The Central Bank of Nigeria has been directed to reissue N500 and N1000 banknotes ahead of general elections.
Poynter→ An Instagram post takes a Tom Hanks clip out of context to falsely claim he condones pedophilia
An Instagram post claims to show proof that the actor Tom Hanks supports pedophilia. The Jan. 3 post showed a snippet of Hanks clapping his hands and shouting “sexy baby” at a […] The post An Instagram post takes a Tom Hanks clip ou
Snopes→ Tweet Accurately Describes Security at St. Louis School Shooting
Here is the evidence we gathered after readers asked us to confirm whether this viral tweet was true.
Snopes→ Kanye West’s Twitter, Instagram Locked over Offensive Posts
Kanye West’s Twitter and Instagram accounts have been locked because of antisemitic posts by the rapper, now known legally as Ye.
Snopes→ Video of SUV Driving Up Truck Ramp To Escape Cops Is Digital Animation
Creative visual effects artist and Instagram user @2ncs wasn't credited for the digital animation video in a wildly popular tweet that showcased the work.
Snopes→ Does Photo Show Hillary Clinton Playing a Game Boy?
There's no shortage of doctored pictures on the internet.
Snopes→ Irish Watchdog Fines Instagram 405M Euros in Teen Data Case
An investigation found the social media platform mishandled teenagers' personal information in violation of strict European Union data privacy rules.
Logically→ Instagram’s new update can track user’s exact location, and this data is used to commit crimes.
Instagram does not track or share its users' locations without their consent. Users can turn off the precise location setting on their devices.
Snopes→ Instagram’s ‘Precise Location’ Tool Is Nothing New
A widely shared social media post is misleading.
Snopes→ RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vaccine Group Kicked off Instagram, Facebook
Children's Health Defense has spread misleading claims about vaccines and other public health measures designed to control the pandemic.
Snopes→ ‘Brazil in a Nutshell’ Street Gunfire Video Shows TV Series Filming
According to HoaxEye, a video of men on a motorcycle trading gunfire with others in a Brazilian street was from the shooting of a film.
Snopes→ Video: Did a Boater Really Capture a Volcanic Eruption?
And somehow the video survived as the boat submerged beneath tsunami waves.
Snopes→ Cristiano Ronaldo Featured in Fake Livestream on TikTok
TikTok live streams that replay old videos are nothing new. However, this one attributed to Cristiano Ronaldo was impersonating the international soccer star.
Snopes→ LGBTQ Harassment, Slurs Abound on Social Media, Report Says
Social media platforms including Facebook and TikTok are failing to stop hate and threats against LGBTQ users.
Snopes→ Instagram and Facebook Remove Posts Offering Abortion Pills
Such social media posts were ostensibly aimed to help women living in states where preexisting laws banning abortion suddenly snapped into effect.
Truth or Fiction?→ Did Kim Kardashian ‘Ruin’ Marilyn Monroe’s Dress?
On June 13 2022, the Twitter account @PopCrave claimed that Kim Kardashian had “ruined” Marilyn Monroe’s dress when she wore it to the May 2 2022 Met Gala: Marilyn Monroe’s iconic dress has reportedly been damaged after being worn
Snopes→ Crypto Scammer with 452K Followers Stole Photos, Advertised on Instagram
The scammer with the fake name "Melissa Jackson" (@melissa_jacks0n) was allowed by Meta to advertise on Instagram.
Snopes→ Is Instagram Down? Login Issues Reported by Users.
Instagram users reported on Twitter and the Down Director website that they were unable to access the service.
Snopes→ Facebook, Instagram to Reveal More on How Ads Target Users
Facebook parent Meta said it will start publicly providing more details about how advertisers target people with political ads just months ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
Snopes→ Did Texas Ban Instagram Filters?
A lawsuit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton provoked headlines and social media posts in May 2022.
Snopes→ EU Agrees on New Digital Rules to Rein in Big Tech Dominance
The European Union set the stage for a stepped-up crackdown on big tech companies with an agreement on landmark digital rules to rein in online “gatekeepers" such as Google and Facebook parent Meta.
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘An Octopus Walking On The Beach … 🐙’
On March 15 2022, the account @UberFacts shared purported video of an “octopus walking on the beach” on Twitter, but with certain odd details. For example, the octopus appeared to have nine tentacles. A search quickly indicated that the
Truth or Fiction?→ Putin ‘Stripped of Black Belt’
On March 2 2022, two Imgur posts claimed Russia’s president Vladimir Putin was “stripped of his black belt”; one of the two posts was an Instagram screenshot, the other depicting a February 28 2022 post on Reddit’s r/worldnews:
Logically→ Instagram’s privacy policy allows it to share private photos and messages.
Instagram cannot share its users content publicly unless it is given permission to do so.
Snopes→ Instagram User @miss_anna.fx Exposed as Crypto Scammer
The account has nearly 20,000 followers. Here's how the hijacking scam works.
Logically→ Instagram has changed its algorithm that allows only around seven percent of a user’s followers to see a post.
Instagram feeds and stories ranking works on how a person uses it. There is no fixed algorithm that limits the followers to view it.
Snopes→ Instagram Head Faces Senators Amid Anger over Possible Harms
Senators are demanding the company commit to making changes and increase its transparency.
Logically→ In Japan, it’s common to find gravestones with QR codes.
Gravestones with QR codes are a fairly new phenomenon in Japan, and while they are on offer, they are not commonplace.
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Bone Fire Became Bonfire’
In October 2021 a screenshot of an Instagram post circulated on Facebook with the timely claim that “bonfire” was a compound word originating with the phrase “bone fire”: View this post on Instagram
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Spiked by Injection’ Warnings on Social Media
In October 2021, rumors warning that people — mostly women – were being “spiked by injection” spread virally across social media, with several high-engagement versions on Twitter: you’ve been outsmarted by us, we cover our d
Truth or Fiction?→ Does Putting Fruit in Mason Jars Make It Last Longer?
On October 12 2021, a Facebook account shared a tip which claimed that putting fruit in Mason jars made it last longer: Idk who needs to know this because it took me 25 years and a TikTok to learn but putting your fruit in mason jars rather than the c
Snopes→ Facebook Puts Instagram for Kids on Hold After Pushback
Facebook is putting a hold on the development of a kids' version of Instagram, geared toward children under 13, to address concerns that have been raised about the vulnerability of younger users.
Snopes→ Instagram Feed Errors Continue with No Word from Company
In August 2021, Instagram users took to Twitter to discuss experiencing a "couldn't refresh feed" error when trying to load new content.
Snopes→ Instagram Is Partially Down with ‘Couldn’t Refresh Feed’ Error
The Instagram feed problem appeared to only impact a select number of users.
Truth or Fiction?→ ‘Doc and Marty Made it to 2021’
On July 21 2021, an Imgur account shared the following meme ( “Doc and Marty made it to 2021” ), which references two main characters in the Back to the Future films and showing Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown) on the left, with Michael J. F
Truth or Fiction?→ Finland Reindeer Reflective Paint Posts
On July 10 2021 the Facebook group Illusions featured a striking image, purportedly depicting reindeer in Finland whose antlers are painted with reflective paint in order to prevent collisions with cars: An appended status update from a group member r
Truth or Fiction?→ Blue’s Clues ‘Top Scars’ Beaver
On May 29 2021, Twitter user @WaferBiscuits tweeted about a beaver on Blue’s Clues who was purportedly bearing scars on their chest, and commended animators for taking the time to include the subtle detail indicative of gender-affirming surgeri