After a recent attack on Bondi Beach, Australia, which killed 15 people, 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 for Pakistani nationals. Another purported to show Pakistanis celebrating the incident.
Both claims are false.
Assertion
A six-second video shared on 15 December 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 nationals.
Fact
This claim is false. The video’s audio has been manipulated using artificial intelligence. The original footage is from a press conference on 3 August 2022, three years before the Bondi Beach attack. In the 15-minute press briefing, Albanese talks about climate change, not the attack.
The press can be seen here
In addition, Hiya, a deepfake detection tool, rated the online video’s audio at 1 out of 100, indicating that it is a deepfake. No credible Australian media has reported such an announcement from the Prime Minister.
Assertion
A 20-second video circulating online purportedly shows Pakistanis celebrating the Bondi Beach attack.
Fact
This claim 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, which can be seen here and here.
Verdict: Both videos circulating online are misleading and falsely linked to the Bondi Beach attack.
