Claim: Google has suspended the purchase of paid apps in Pakistan. Fact: The tech giant has suspended the purchase of carrier-paid apps in Pakistan via mobile credit only. But the payment to purchase paid apps can be made via credit or debit cards. Fact or Fiction? On 3 December 2022, Daily Pakistan Global shared a […]
Claim: A social media post claim that Elon Musk will appoint Donald Trump Jr as Twitter’s new CEO. Fact: The claim is not true. Blogger Jeff Charles posted a satire piece that people mistook as authentic news. On 20 December 2022, Facebook user DG Jenkins claimed in a post that “Elon Musk to Appoint Donald […]
Claim: According to a viral WhatsApp message, a file titled “Mexico did it”, with an image showing “how Covid-19 is cured in Mexico” will install a virus on users’ phones in five seconds. Fact: We found the warning to be bogus; no such file exists. On 8 November 2022, Soch Fact Check received a WhatsApp […]
Claim: A screenshot of Afghan cricket player Farid Malik apologising after for a recent on-field feud with Pakistan’s Asif Ali was widely shared on social media Fact: The Twitter account purportedly representing Farid Malik is fake, and neither player has issued an apology for the verbal spat, which turned violent. Pakistan’s cricket team faced off […]
Claim: A new iOS update automatically activated a feature that shares users’ precise location on Instagram for all other users on the platform to see. Fact: The location setting is built into the device and cannot be automatically switched on through an iOS update. Instagram has officially denied this claim. On 26 August 2022, a […]
Claim: Journalist Imran Riaz Khan is collecting donations online to help disabled people in Pakistan. Fact: Imran Riaz Khan’s Twitter account was hacked and a PayPal scam was shared through a tweet. The journalist uploaded a video warning people not to interact with his account or make any donations. On 30 July 2022, journalist Imran […]
Claim: Facebook has initiated talks with Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) about the prospect of opening up a local office in the country. A meeting was held between representatives affiliated with the platform and FIA Cyber Crime Wing Director Humayun Bashir in this regard. Fact: The FIA denied the reports in a statement issued via […]
Claim: A viral video of a multi-lane circular bridge, with the lanes spiraling down towards the center of the shot, allegedly depicts the Nanpu Bridge in Shanghai, China. Fact: The video is not an accurate depiction of the Nanpu Bridge. While the bridge is known for its elevated, circular design, the video creates the impression […]
Claim: Bill Gates’ Twitter account has been suspended following billionaire Elon Musk’s purchase of the social media platform. Fact: Gates’ account has not been suspended as confirmed by a Twitter spokesperson and a spokesperson for the philanthropist. Fact or Fiction? On 26 April 2022, Facebook page Jacksonville Florida “The 904” shared a screenshot claiming that […]
Claim: Posts circulating online claim that, according to cell phone data traffic analysis shared by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) officials, more than 0.6 million unique cell phone devices have connected with Islamabad’s BTS (Base Transceiver Station) access points. Unique devices mean mobile phones that are not usually connected with Islamabad’s towers and have “come from […]
Claim: Several “live” videos of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have been shared by Facebook pages from around the world. The videos show fighter planes shooting at Ukrainian buildings at night and Ukrainian machines on the ground hitting back with their own firepower. Fact: The video clips are in fact snippets of gameplay from the open-world, […]
Claim: An Urdu news website published an article with a headline that translated into English reads as, “Public doesn’t need to pay electricity bills now. The government has announced a massive plan.” The article states that this year the Punjab government will put PKR 2.63 billion towards the launch of 21 new solar projects which […]