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Fact check

Viral fake news on social media, false claims on COVID-19 or disinformation on elections — DW's fact check team debunks, explains and uses in-depth research techniques to separate fact from fiction.

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All Content on this topic

A person behind a voting station casting a vote during US elections

A person behind a voting station casting a vote during US elections

How big is the risk of voter fraud in US elections?

Are noncitizens voting in the presidential elections and how safe are mail-in ballots and electronic voting machines?

Vorschaubild für Faktencheckvideo zu EM-Fakes

Vorschaubild für Faktencheckvideo zu EM-Fakes

Fact check brings you the Euro 2024's top social media fakes

The UEFA European championship has sparked a flood of fakes, and a strange story of a fan waking up in an empty stadium.

An image marked as fake and AI-generated of Mohammed Abu Selmia with outstretched arms standing in front of al-Shifa Hospital

An image marked as fake and AI-generated of Mohammed Abu Selmia with outstretched arms standing in front of al-Shifa Hospital

Fact check: Fake image of al-Shifa Hospital director

One particular image of Mohammed Abu Selmia, the released head of al-Shifa Hospital, was actually AI-generated.

Screenshot of a collage posted on the social media platform X claiming to show a Paris car salesman, a Bugatti sports car, and an invoice for the sale thereof

Screenshot of a collage posted on the social media platform X claiming to show a Paris car salesman, a Bugatti sports car, and an invoice for the sale thereof

Fact check: New fakes on Zelenskyy's purported wealth

Someone claiming to be a car dealer says Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska just bought a million-dollar sports car.

A post on X claiming the USS Theodore Roosevelt is on its way to the coast of Israel

A post on X claiming the USS Theodore Roosevelt is on its way to the coast of Israel

No, this US navy fleet is not yet en route to Israel

False claims on military movements amid Israel-Hezbollah tensions circulate online. DW fact-checks some of them.

Opening ceremony on the pitch minutes before the match Romania - Ukraine at EURO 2024 in Munich kicked off

Opening ceremony on the pitch minutes before the match Romania - Ukraine at EURO 2024 in Munich kicked off

Fact check: Did Romanian football fans shout Putin slogans?

Videos showing Romanian fans shouting Putin slogans at Euro 2024 are fake. A DW journalist was there.

Computer l Sucht l Fake News l Symbolbild

Computer l Sucht l Fake News l Symbolbild

How to spot fake content online

How can you recognize and verify fake news when you see them online? Here are some tips from the DW fact check team.

Screenshot of a tweet with verdict "false" written on the top right corner

Screenshot of a tweet with verdict "false" written on the top right corner

Fact check: Fake footage of Russian warships in Cuba

As Russian navy ships, some with advanced weapons, arrived in Cuba, fake videos about the event have circulated online.

Joint efforts needed to combat disinformation

Fake news is fueling anti-democratic forces around the world, says global report.

240612 Infografik DW FactCheck Sugarloafmountain Sea Levels EN

240612 Infografik DW FactCheck Sugarloafmountain Sea Levels EN

Fact check: Sugarloaf images do not disprove sea level rise

A viral photo collage from Rio de Janeiro's Sugarloaf Mountain purports to show that sea levels have remained stable.

The official Euro 2024 ball is presented in Stuttgart

The official Euro 2024 ball is presented in Stuttgart

Fact check: Euro 2024 scams and false fines explained

Fake jerseys? Fake tickets? Fake volunteers? With rumors swirling, let's uncover some of the misinformation.

Fact check: 'True' crime deepfakes on TikTok

AI-generated criminals tell their shocking stories on TikTok and often get millions of views. Are their stories real?

Screen shot of Andy Boreham's tweet.

Screen shot of Andy Boreham's tweet.

Fact check: Was China's Tiananmen massacre a US-led myth?

A viral post on X claims the Tiananmen massacre was a US-led 'myth.' DW explains why this post is misleading.

A picture of a cellphone screen purporting to show an AfD ad encouraging voters to sign their ballots as a way to safeguard against vote fraud

A picture of a cellphone screen purporting to show an AfD ad encouraging voters to sign their ballots as a way to safeguard against vote fraud

Fact check: EU elections and fake news about ballot fraud

The EU is awash with disinformation regarding voting rules in the run-up to parliamentary elections.

Screenshot of posts with fake quote "The moon is more useful than the sun, since the moon gives us light at night when it's dark. The sun only gives us light during the day, when it's already light out." with pictures of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Lauren Boebert

Screenshot of posts with fake quote "The moon is more useful than the sun, since the moon gives us light at night when it's dark. The sun only gives us light during the day, when it's already light out." with pictures of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Lauren Boebert

Fact check: How to spot fake quotes on social media?

DW's fact-checking team explains how to find out if a statement of a celebrity shared on social media is true or not.

DW Fact checking False Palestinian TV show 'Nazeef al Torab (Bleeding Dirt)

DW Fact checking False Palestinian TV show 'Nazeef al Torab (Bleeding Dirt)

Fact check: Misinformation on Rafah offensive

Since the start of Israel's Rafah offensive, videos and photos have been spreading online, making false claims.

Helicopter with President Raisi at the border with Azerbaijan

Helicopter with President Raisi at the border with Azerbaijan

Fact check: Was Raisi's helicopter hit by a space laser?

A viral post on X claims that a space laser weapon targeted the helicopter carrying Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi.

King, De Niro manipulated content showing alleged support for Israel and Palestine.

King, De Niro manipulated content showing alleged support for Israel and Palestine.

Fact check: Celebrity support for Palestinians or Israelis?

Though some stars have taken public stances, others have become the subjects of fake stories.

Three images, one of a girl, one of a bar of chocolate, and one of a woman shaking Adolf Hitler's hands are marked with the word "fake"

Three images, one of a girl, one of a bar of chocolate, and one of a woman shaking Adolf Hitler's hands are marked with the word "fake"

Fact check: How to spot fake news ahead of EU elections

DW Fact Check presents examples of how deepfakes, spoofing and the like are trying to mislead us.

US President Joe Biden stands behind microphones and gestures with his hands while delivering remarks at the White House

US President Joe Biden stands behind microphones and gestures with his hands while delivering remarks at the White House

Fact check: Is Joe Biden weakening Iran sanctions?

President Biden's detractors accuse him of undermining punitive measures against Iran. Are they right?

A compilation of screenshots of India's President Narendra Modi, a fake photo proporting to be French President Emanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden speaking on the phone.

A compilation of screenshots of India's President Narendra Modi, a fake photo proporting to be French President Emanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden speaking on the phone.

Fact check: How AI may influence elections in 2024

AI deepfakes could upend elections in a year when more than 40% of the world is voting, including India and the US.

A man points at an image of an airplane caught in extreme rainfall that is captioned "Dubai experiencing massive flooding after cloud seeding". The image is marked "False"

A man points at an image of an airplane caught in extreme rainfall that is captioned "Dubai experiencing massive flooding after cloud seeding". The image is marked "False"

Fact check: Did cloud seeding cause the Dubai floods?

Are cloud seeding and climate change to blame for the deluge in large parts of the Arabian Peninsula?

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Fact check: Fake videos from Iran's attack on Israel

The missiles and drones Iran fired on Israel brought with them a wave of fakes and misleading claims online.

A collage of a screenshot from a fake news website claiming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy bought a mansion once belonging to King Charless III, who is also seen in the image, as is the home, and the king's former butler

A collage of a screenshot from a fake news website claiming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy bought a mansion once belonging to King Charless III, who is also seen in the image, as is the home, and the king's former butler

Fact check: Did Zelenskyy buy King Charles' Highgrove House?

A website that wants you to think it's a UK-based media outlet claims Zelenskyy has bought the Highgrove House mansion.

A symbol photo showing Joe Biden and Donald Trump

A symbol photo showing Joe Biden and Donald Trump

Fact check: Is Biden or Trump better for the US economy?

Who is the more economically competent, Trump or Biden? One has public opinion on his side; the data supports the other.

A picture of demolished buildings and the word "false"

A picture of demolished buildings and the word "false"

A video claiming to show Taiwan quake is 3 years old

Many images and videos have been posted online since this week's 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Taiwan's east coast.

Factchecking-Imagevideo

Factchecking-Imagevideo

How DW's fact-checking team works

DW's fact-check team debunks, explains and uses in-depth research techniques to separate fact from fiction.

Screenshot of an online post claiming Palestine is no longer listed in the country option on the new Canadian passport.

Screenshot of an online post claiming Palestine is no longer listed in the country option on the new Canadian passport.

Fact check: No Palestinian identity on Canadian passports?

Viral posts have claimed "Palestine" is no longer a birthplace option on Canadian passports. DW checks the facts.

Collage of stills created by Sora

Collage of stills created by Sora

Fact check: How to spot AI videos by Sora

AI-generated videos can be used to spread disinformation and fake news. Here's how to recognize Sora videos.

Colorful pills in a large white plate along with a fork and knife

Colorful pills in a large white plate along with a fork and knife

Fact check: Are dietary supplements a rip-off?

Dietary supplements are a booming market. But their promises of health benefits are often false.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits soldiers

Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits soldiers

Fact check: Russian fake news targets Ukraine's Zelenskyy

From lavish shoping sprees to yachts, dubious accusations swirl around Ukraine's president. DW Fact Check investigates.

A man is seen smoking a large joint during the Global Marijuana March. Hundreds of pro-cannabis activists demonstrate in Puerto del Sol, Madrid city center, to demand a law to legalize cannabis with a medicinal and recreational use.

A man is seen smoking a large joint during the Global Marijuana March. Hundreds of pro-cannabis activists demonstrate in Puerto del Sol, Madrid city center, to demand a law to legalize cannabis with a medicinal and recreational use.

Fact check: How dangerous is cannabis? Four myths exposed

Whether legal or illegal, there's a lot of misinformation circulating about cannabis consumption. DW checks the facts.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift walk together on the field after a game, smiling

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift walk together on the field after a game, smiling

Fact check: Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce and the Super Bowl

Countless conspiracy theories are circulating online about Taylor Swift. DW fact-checked three related to the NFL.

Three faces side by side beneath the text "disinformation in Pakistan's elections"

Three faces side by side beneath the text "disinformation in Pakistan's elections"

Fact check: Pakistan's election marred by disinformation

Artificial intelligence has had an impact on the election in Pakistan. Who is spreading disinformation? And how?

A composite image showing three different women, with the words DW Fact Check

A composite image showing three different women, with the words DW Fact Check

Fact check: Are these influencers real or virtual?

Virtual influencers are attracting more and more followers. How can you spot if an influencer is real or fake?

Three fake pictures of children huddled in mud

Three fake pictures of children huddled in mud

Fact check: AI-generated images of children in Gaza

The suffering in Gaza has attracted major social media attention, but amid the accurate reports are fakes and AI images.

A massive crowd of people stand in front of the Reichstag in Germany's capital Berlin holding placards.

A massive crowd of people stand in front of the Reichstag in Germany's capital Berlin holding placards.

Fact check: How were German protester numbers estimated?

After large anti far-right demonstrations in Germany, a debate has ensued about the accuracy of protester estimates.

A massive crowd seen gathered under the motto 'Stand Up Hamburg!' on Friday

A massive crowd seen gathered under the motto 'Stand Up Hamburg!' on Friday

Fact check: Far right claim media inflating size of protests

Far-right politicians and social media users have claimed pictures of protests in Germany were manipulated.

A woman holds a newspaper with "Fake News" on the left page

A woman holds a newspaper with "Fake News" on the left page

Democrats vs. Republicans: Who spots fake news more?

A study finds party affiliation, gender and education are linked with the ability to discern fake and true news.

Deutschland Bauernprotest und Sternfahrt in Nürnberg

Deutschland Bauernprotest und Sternfahrt in Nürnberg

Fact check: Fakes about Germany farmers' protests

Farmers across Germany are demonstrating against the government's subsidy cuts. Many pictures of protests are spreading on social media - but not all are authentic. A fact check.

Screengrabs of videos on social media

Screengrabs of videos on social media

Fact check: These earthquake videos from Japan are recycled

Out-of-context videos are circulating on social media following this week's major earthquake in Japan.

Statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, at Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom

Statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, at Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom

Fact check: The strangest fakes of 2023

There was plenty of fake news around the world in 2023. Some stories were dangerous, while others were simply absurd.

Screenshot a video showing blurry pictures of five men in a closed area.

Screenshot a video showing blurry pictures of five men in a closed area.

Fact check: Video does not depict Israeli war crimes

Images circulating online claim to show Israeli atrocities in Gaza, but they originate from Syria's civil war.

Social media apps on a smartphone

Social media apps on a smartphone

How to reach DW Fact check

DW encourages readers to submit topics and content for fact-checking and verification. Here is how you can reach us.

Fumbua | Sendung SHIFT

Fumbua | Sendung SHIFT

Taking action against misinformation

An influencer from Kenya makes TikToks about political issues that are accurate and funny.

Illustration of man's face with grid superimposed and audio wave in background

Illustration of man's face with grid superimposed and audio wave in background

How do I spot a deepfake?

It's difficult to know if a video is real using just your eyes and ears. But there are some ways to spot them.

A firefighter extinguishes the fire in a burning car in a parking lot

A firefighter extinguishes the fire in a burning car in a parking lot

Fact check: Myths about electric vehicles busted

Some people still hesitate to buy electric cars. We take a look at the five most popular myths about EVs.

Kommunikationsplattform X I Elon Musk

Kommunikationsplattform X I Elon Musk

Fewer fact checks, more disinformation

Social media has a giant impact on elections, so it's important that lies are exposed quickly.

A compliation of three AI-generated images referring to Israel's war in Gaza

A compliation of three AI-generated images referring to Israel's war in Gaza

Fact check: AI fakes in Israel's war against Hamas

Real or fake? The war in the Middle East has been marked by a wave of fakes, some of which are AI-generated.

Palestinians carry belongings as they leave al-Ahli hospital, which they were using as a shelter

Palestinians carry belongings as they leave al-Ahli hospital, which they were using as a shelter

Gaza hospital blast: What investigations show so far

There is still little clarity about the deadly Gaza hospital blast. But open-source investigations have shed some light.