Following a recent attack in Bondi Beach, Australia, in which 15 people died, two videos began circulating on social media. One claimed that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blamed Pakistan for the attack and announced a visa ban on Pakistani citizens. Another purported to show Pakistanis celebrating the incident.
Both statements are false.
Say
A six-second video shared on December 15 shows Australian Prime Minister Albanese announcing the arrest of a “terrorist of Pakistani origin” linked to the Bondi Beach attack and suspending all visas for Pakistani citizens.
Made
This statement is false. The audio of the video has been manipulated using Artificial Intelligence. The original footage is from a press conference on August 3, 2022, three years before the Bondi Beach attack. In the 15-minute press conference, Albanese talks about climate change, not the attack.
You can see the presser. here
Additionally, Hiya, a deepfake detection tool, rated the online video’s audio 1 out of 100, indicating it is a deepfake. No credible Australian media outlet has reported any such announcement by the Prime Minister.
Say
A 20-second video circulating online purportedly shows Pakistanis celebrating the Bondi Beach attack.
Made
This statement is false. The video predates the Bondi Beach attack and has been online since 2023. It was shared by several social media users in 2023 and can be viewed. here and here.
Verdict: Both videos circulating online are misleading and falsely linked to the Bondi Beach attack.
