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Misinformation Surge Exploits Myanmar Earthquake for Profit

False content and AI-generated posts flood social media, complicating rescue efforts and eroding trust as platforms struggle to respond.

TOPSHOT - A rescue worker walks past heavy construction equipment being used to clear rubble at the site of a collapsed building in Mandalay on April 5, 2025, following the March 28 earthquake. The shallow 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28 flattened buildings across Myanmar, killing more than 3,000 people and making thousands more homeless. (Photo by Zaw Htun / AFP) (Photo by ZAW HTUN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The March 28 earthquake in Myanmar has caused over 3,600 deaths, 5,000 injuries, and left hundreds missing, with recovery efforts ongoing.
  • Fraudsters are using repurposed footage and AI-generated content to create fake narratives, exploiting the disaster for advertising revenue.
  • Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok face criticism for revenue models that incentivize viral, often false, content.
  • Internet shutdowns in Myanmar are worsening the spread of misinformation, leaving those seeking accurate updates vulnerable to false claims.
  • Experts warn that misinformation delays evacuations, escalates panic, and undermines trust in emergency services, complicating the disaster response.