FACT CHECK: Niacinamide serum ad used AI-manipulated news report
Claim: A GMA News report shows a product called Hally Premium Niacinamide Pure Serum, allegedly developed by celebrity dermatologist Dr. Vicky Belo. The product claims to cure acne, remove stretch marks, and treat multiple skin conditions.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The Facebook ad containing the claim has now garnered 1.3 million views, 9,800 reactions, and 2,000 comments as of writing.
AI-manipulated news report: The ad used a news report taken from GMA’s 24 Oras October 15 newscast, manipulating it using artificial intelligence. In the original video, 24 Oras anchor Mel Tiangco introduced a report by broadcaster Sandra Aguinaldo about Eco-Ikot Centers, a zero-waste initiative in Smokey Mountains in Tondo, Manila.
The story of Belo supposedly developing Hally Premium Niacinamide Pure Serum was not mentioned anywhere in the original video.
Sensity, a web-based tool for detecting AI, found the video “suspicious” with a 98% confidence level. The Netherlands-based company said that the minimum confidence for its detector is 50%.
Not a Belo Medical Group product: Hally Premium Niacinamide Pure Serum is not included in the list of serums officially available for sale on Belo Medical Group’s website. Belo is the founder, president, and medical director of the company.
Not FDA registered: Hally Premium Niacinamide Pure Serum is not on the Philippine Food and Drug Administration’s list of registered products, as seen on its online verification portal.
Similar claims: Rappler has debunked similar ads for various supposed health products that used manipulated news reports of mainstream media to falsely imply endorsement:
- FACT CHECK: Doc Alvin collagen gummies ad is fake
- FACT CHECK: Hair growth ad uses AI-manipulated news report, Willie Ong clip
- FACT CHECK: Hypertension ‘cure’ ad used face manipulation, AI-generated audio
- FACT CHECK: Eyedrop ad used unrelated Jessica Soho clip, AI voice
- FACT CHECK: News report manipulated using AI to promote hair growth shampoo
– Lorenz Pasion/Rappler.com
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