SINGAPORE – A widely seen post on TikTok with AI images of Singaporeans missing in the Nepal floods has been removed after it violated the platform’s guidelines.
The post uploaded on Aug 31 contained AI-generated photos of four of the nine missing Singaporeans, alongside real photos of three of the other missing Singaporeans.
The Straits Times ran a story on the post on Sept 1, and TikTok removed it the next day.
The post had violated guidelines on edited media and generated AI content, spreading misinformation and deceiving users into thinking those were real images of the missing Singaporeans.
The post had more than 150,000 views and close to 300 comments before it was taken down.
The missing Singaporeans have been uncontactable since Aug 26, when flash floods swept through parts of Tibet and Nepal.
The death toll as at Sept 3 exceeded 1,200, and more than 5,000 people are still missing.
The missing Singaporeans have been identified as Rengarajan Prabu, Shalinny Deavy Elan Sozan, Subramaniam Diraviam, Rajesvaran Ayyavoo, Estee Loeh, Ghosh Aditi, Ng Kit Kuen, Shubakshi Rawla and Sumit Rawla.
The TikTok post included real photos of Loeh and the Rawlas, and AI images of Rengarajan, Shalinny, Subramaniam and Rajesvaran.
Rengarajan, Shalinny, Subramaniam and Rajesvaran were travelling with an agency, Leaf Holidays Treks and Expedition.
On Aug 28, the travel agency posted photos of the four Singaporeans on Facebook.
It is believed that the AI images of them on TikTok were derived from the travel agency’s photos.
In the fake images, Shalinny, who works at the State Courts, was portrayed with a black “pottu” (a traditional coloured dot or mark worn on the forehead).
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