“`html
CNBC AI News, August 18th – A viral sensation on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, has taken a dark turn, illustrating both the power and the perils of social media algorithms. According to a report by CCTV News, a Douyin user known as “Nuoyan” (real name Wang Moumou) posted a fabricated missing-child alert on July 23rd, triggering widespread concern and outrage.
The video detailed the alleged disappearance of a two-year-old girl, Wang Miaomiao, from a supermarket in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. It included the girl’s name, age, height, and physical description, claiming CCTV footage showed her being abducted by a woman in her 50s or 60s. The post even listed contact details for the purported parents, painting a picture of desperate parents seeking help.
The digitally manufactured plea for help spread like wildfire, racking up over 1.6 million views, tens of thousands of likes, and thousands of shares on Douyin. The sheer volume of concerned users amplified the post’s reach, prompting an official investigation by the Jiaxing police.
However, the investigation quickly revealed significant inconsistencies. Authorities were unable to find any evidence to support the abduction claim at the location specified in the video. Attempts to contact the so-called parents via phone and WeChat went unanswered.
Further investigation uncovered that the photograph used in the video was lifted from a social media account belonging to a Shenzhen-based blogger who routinely shares photos of her daughter. The “missing” child was, in fact, safe and sound.
On July 25th, police apprehended Wang Moumou in Jiaxing. Authorities confirmed that Wang was not married and had no children.
Wang confessed that his motive was to engineer virality and boost his online profile. He leveraged AI large language models to craft the detailed missing-child narrative, using a combination of AI-generated descriptions and pilfered images. This manufactured crisis saw his follower count jump from single digits to over 600.
The incident highlights the ethical minefield surrounding AI-generated content and the potential for malicious actors to exploit these technologies. Beyond the wasted police resources and the emotional distress inflicted on concerned citizens, Wang’s actions have also had a negative impact on the real child and her family whose image was misappropriated.
Consequently, Wang Moumou has been sentenced to administrative detention by the Nanhu District branch of the Jiaxing Public Security Bureau under Article 25, Paragraph 1 of the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Public Security Administration Punishments.”
Authorities are urging caution when posting content involving minors, warning that even unintentional actions can lead to infringement and potential legal repercussions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility that comes with the power of online platforms and the urgent need for increased media literacy in the age of AI.
“`
Original article, Author: Tobias. If you wish to reprint this article, please indicate the source:https://aicnbc.com/7411.html
