TikTok removes viral AI images of Singaporeans missing in Nepal floods

SINGAPORE, Sept 4 — A TikTok post using AI-generated images of Singaporeans missing in the Nepal floods was viewed more than 150,000 times before being removed.

The post, uploaded on August 31, featured AI-generated portraits of four of the nine Singaporeans who remain uncontactable after flash floods struck parts of Tibet and Nepal on Aug 26, alongside genuine photographs of three others.

TikTok removed the post on September 2 after finding that it breached its rules on edited media and AI-generated content, according to The Straits Times.

The platform said the post misled users into believing the fabricated images were genuine.

Before it was taken down, it had attracted nearly 300 comments.

The nine 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 used genuine photographs of Loeh and the Rawlas, while the images of Rengarajan, Shalinny, Subramaniam and Rajesvaran were AI-generated.

The four had been travelling with Leaf Holidays Treks and Expedition, which posted photographs of them on Facebook on August 28. The Straits Times reported that the AI images were believed to have been generated from those photographs.

For the family of Shalinny, who works at the State Courts, the fabricated image added another layer of distress to an already agonising wait.

Her husband, who asked to be identified only as Selvaganesh, said the AI portrait did not resemble his wife. It showed her wearing a black pottu, a traditional mark worn on the forehead, although he said she would always wear a red one.

Selvaganesh told The Straits Times on September 4 that he was relieved and grateful the post had been removed.

TikTok said it steps up detection efforts during major events such as natural disasters and public safety emergencies, including through dedicated teams. Those measures had also led to the removal of other posts containing misinformation about the Nepal floods.