Shayan Sardarizadeh
@shayan86.bsky.social
BBC Verify senior journalist | verification, AI, disinformation, conspiracy theories, open source investigations | [email protected]
Pinned
Shayan Sardarizadeh
@shayan86.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Hello to all the new people migrating from X. I'm a BBC journalist and fact-checker.
Please flag any potentially misleading viral claims either on Bluesky or any other social media platform that needs fact-checking via DM, and I'll do the rest.
Thank you!
Please flag any potentially misleading viral claims either on Bluesky or any other social media platform that needs fact-checking via DM, and I'll do the rest.
Thank you!
Reposted by Shayan Sardarizadeh
Kremlin-linked Matryoshka bot network launches campaign on Greenland dispute, claims Zelensky ready to send troops to fight against the U.S.
@antibot4navalny.bsky.social notes the new disinfo masks itself as content from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @bellingcat.com, among others.
@antibot4navalny.bsky.social notes the new disinfo masks itself as content from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @bellingcat.com, among others.
Kremlin-linked Matryoshka bot network launches campaign on Greenland dispute, claims Zelensky ready to send troops to fight against the U.S.
The Kremlin-linked online bot network known as “Matryoshka” has launched a disinformation campaign focused on the escalating dispute over Greenland, according to researchers from the Bot Blocker project (@antibot4navalny), which monitors Russian bot activity on social media. The researchers told The Insider that the campaign is aimed at amplifying tensions surrounding the standoff between the U.S. and several of its NATO allies.
theins.press
January 21, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Kremlin-linked Matryoshka bot network launches campaign on Greenland dispute, claims Zelensky ready to send troops to fight against the U.S.
@antibot4navalny.bsky.social notes the new disinfo masks itself as content from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @bellingcat.com, among others.
@antibot4navalny.bsky.social notes the new disinfo masks itself as content from @thestudyofwar.bsky.social and @bellingcat.com, among others.
Hundreds of photos revealing the faces of those killed during the violent crackdown on protests in Iran have been leaked to BBC Verify.
The pictures reveal the bloodied, swollen and bruised faces of at least 326 victims - including 18 women.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The pictures reveal the bloodied, swollen and bruised faces of at least 326 victims - including 18 women.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leaked photos show hundreds killed in Iran's brutal crackdown
The images from one mortuary in Tehran were shown to families who went to identify their loved ones.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Hundreds of photos revealing the faces of those killed during the violent crackdown on protests in Iran have been leaked to BBC Verify.
The pictures reveal the bloodied, swollen and bruised faces of at least 326 victims - including 18 women.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The pictures reveal the bloodied, swollen and bruised faces of at least 326 victims - including 18 women.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Shayan Sardarizadeh
Tehran, Iran.
Last weekend we verified all we could from what broke through the regime's internet restrictions. With @shayan86.bsky.social, @benedictgarman.com and Ghoncheh Habibiazad.
Which led to major reports and videos from BBC Verify, plus four live page posts.
My how-to notes to follow.
Last weekend we verified all we could from what broke through the regime's internet restrictions. With @shayan86.bsky.social, @benedictgarman.com and Ghoncheh Habibiazad.
Which led to major reports and videos from BBC Verify, plus four live page posts.
My how-to notes to follow.
January 18, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Tehran, Iran.
Last weekend we verified all we could from what broke through the regime's internet restrictions. With @shayan86.bsky.social, @benedictgarman.com and Ghoncheh Habibiazad.
Which led to major reports and videos from BBC Verify, plus four live page posts.
My how-to notes to follow.
Last weekend we verified all we could from what broke through the regime's internet restrictions. With @shayan86.bsky.social, @benedictgarman.com and Ghoncheh Habibiazad.
Which led to major reports and videos from BBC Verify, plus four live page posts.
My how-to notes to follow.
During a speech in Tehran today, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that "several thousand people were killed" during the recent protests by those he described as "seditionists", confirming for the first time that the death toll from the protests is in the thousands.
January 17, 2026 at 6:53 PM
During a speech in Tehran today, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that "several thousand people were killed" during the recent protests by those he described as "seditionists", confirming for the first time that the death toll from the protests is in the thousands.
Iran's government has imposed a near total internet shutdown on more than 90 million Iranians since last Thursday, almost entirely cutting them off from the outside world for more than a week.
In such an environment, it's become extremely difficult to know what's happening inside Iran.
In such an environment, it's become extremely difficult to know what's happening inside Iran.
January 16, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Iran's government has imposed a near total internet shutdown on more than 90 million Iranians since last Thursday, almost entirely cutting them off from the outside world for more than a week.
In such an environment, it's become extremely difficult to know what's happening inside Iran.
In such an environment, it's become extremely difficult to know what's happening inside Iran.
Reposted by Shayan Sardarizadeh
@shayan86.bsky.social & @merlynthomas.bsky.social (BBC Verify) and Ghoncheh Habibiazad (BBC Persian) have this report from #Iran, documenting some of the atrocities that are being committed.
(Additional reporting by Roja Assadi, @richib.bsky.social and Kumar Malhotra).
www.bbc.com/news/article...
(Additional reporting by Roja Assadi, @richib.bsky.social and Kumar Malhotra).
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Tehran morgue videos show the brutality of Iran's crackdown on protesters
Distressing footage reveals nearly 200 bodies with one victim identified as young as 16.
www.bbc.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:09 PM
@shayan86.bsky.social & @merlynthomas.bsky.social (BBC Verify) and Ghoncheh Habibiazad (BBC Persian) have this report from #Iran, documenting some of the atrocities that are being committed.
(Additional reporting by Roja Assadi, @richib.bsky.social and Kumar Malhotra).
www.bbc.com/news/article...
(Additional reporting by Roja Assadi, @richib.bsky.social and Kumar Malhotra).
www.bbc.com/news/article...
We've analysed new videos published by @vahid.online that show rows of body bags at the Kahrizak mortuary in Tehran on 10 January.
We've counted at least 186 bodies in one clip and at least 178 bodies in another, although the true figure is likely much higher.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We've counted at least 186 bodies in one clip and at least 178 bodies in another, although the true figure is likely much higher.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Tehran morgue videos show the brutality of Iran's crackdown on protesters
Distressing footage reveals nearly 200 bodies with one victim identified as young as 16.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2026 at 5:52 PM
We've analysed new videos published by @vahid.online that show rows of body bags at the Kahrizak mortuary in Tehran on 10 January.
We've counted at least 186 bodies in one clip and at least 178 bodies in another, although the true figure is likely much higher.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We've counted at least 186 bodies in one clip and at least 178 bodies in another, although the true figure is likely much higher.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
BBC Verify and BBC Persian have verified over 100 videos in more than 50 towns and cities during 10 days of nationwide protests in Iran, showing that the demonstrations have now spread to the majority of Iran's provinces.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Iran anti-government protests spread to majority of provinces, videos show
Videos show that unrest has spread to more than 50 towns and cities, including pro-government heartlands.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 6:34 PM
BBC Verify and BBC Persian have verified over 100 videos in more than 50 towns and cities during 10 days of nationwide protests in Iran, showing that the demonstrations have now spread to the majority of Iran's provinces.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Shayan Sardarizadeh
One example of how Grok is being used to target women. Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch being sexualised, degraded, and humiliated step-by-step by Grok. All the images accurately reflect the prompts provided.
January 5, 2026 at 5:37 PM
One example of how Grok is being used to target women. Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch being sexualised, degraded, and humiliated step-by-step by Grok. All the images accurately reflect the prompts provided.
THREAD: Viral misinformation on US seizure of Nicolas Maduro - 5 January
This video claims to show Venezuelans toppling and dragging a statue of former president Hugo Chavez.
But the video was filmed during anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 and the statue is Indio Coromoto.
This video claims to show Venezuelans toppling and dragging a statue of former president Hugo Chavez.
But the video was filmed during anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 and the statue is Indio Coromoto.
January 5, 2026 at 5:58 PM
THREAD: Viral misinformation on US seizure of Nicolas Maduro - 5 January
This video claims to show Venezuelans toppling and dragging a statue of former president Hugo Chavez.
But the video was filmed during anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 and the statue is Indio Coromoto.
This video claims to show Venezuelans toppling and dragging a statue of former president Hugo Chavez.
But the video was filmed during anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 and the statue is Indio Coromoto.
THREAD: Viral misinformation on US capture of Nicolas Maduro - 4 January
This video, shared by Alex Jones and others, falsely claims to show millions of Venezuelans in Caracas celebrating Maduro's capture.
In fact, it shows anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 over a highly disputed election.
This video, shared by Alex Jones and others, falsely claims to show millions of Venezuelans in Caracas celebrating Maduro's capture.
In fact, it shows anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 over a highly disputed election.
January 4, 2026 at 7:29 PM
THREAD: Viral misinformation on US capture of Nicolas Maduro - 4 January
This video, shared by Alex Jones and others, falsely claims to show millions of Venezuelans in Caracas celebrating Maduro's capture.
In fact, it shows anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 over a highly disputed election.
This video, shared by Alex Jones and others, falsely claims to show millions of Venezuelans in Caracas celebrating Maduro's capture.
In fact, it shows anti-Maduro protests in July 2024 over a highly disputed election.
THREAD: I'll fact-check all the viral misinformation about the US military operation in Venezuela in this thread
This image, purporting to show the US military arresting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is AI-generated.
According to Google's SynthID detector, it was created using Google AI.
This image, purporting to show the US military arresting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is AI-generated.
According to Google's SynthID detector, it was created using Google AI.
January 3, 2026 at 5:55 PM
THREAD: I'll fact-check all the viral misinformation about the US military operation in Venezuela in this thread
This image, purporting to show the US military arresting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is AI-generated.
According to Google's SynthID detector, it was created using Google AI.
This image, purporting to show the US military arresting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is AI-generated.
According to Google's SynthID detector, it was created using Google AI.
THREAD: Verified videos of anti-establishment protests in Iran on 1 January
A group of protesters in the small city of Azna, in the western porvince of Lorestan, set fire to the local police station.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Qz7rbxSWTp34...
A group of protesters in the small city of Azna, in the western porvince of Lorestan, set fire to the local police station.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Qz7rbxSWTp34...
January 2, 2026 at 8:40 PM
THREAD: Verified videos of anti-establishment protests in Iran on 1 January
A group of protesters in the small city of Azna, in the western porvince of Lorestan, set fire to the local police station.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Qz7rbxSWTp34...
A group of protesters in the small city of Azna, in the western porvince of Lorestan, set fire to the local police station.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Qz7rbxSWTp34...
THREAD: Verified videos of anti-establishment protests currently unfolding in Iran
Protesters push back police and security forces on Tehran's Jomhouri Street.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/LKZH6YbnT2WE...
@geoconfirmed.org
Protesters push back police and security forces on Tehran's Jomhouri Street.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/LKZH6YbnT2WE...
@geoconfirmed.org
December 31, 2025 at 9:51 PM
THREAD: Verified videos of anti-establishment protests currently unfolding in Iran
Protesters push back police and security forces on Tehran's Jomhouri Street.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/LKZH6YbnT2WE...
@geoconfirmed.org
Protesters push back police and security forces on Tehran's Jomhouri Street.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/LKZH6YbnT2WE...
@geoconfirmed.org
Reposted by Shayan Sardarizadeh
Last month, I got a commission to write an open-source data project on the recent Radiohead tour for the BBC Verify live page (and plotted a speculative social media video). Yes I was. It didn’t work out… As the year closes, I thought you may like to read it. Merry Christmas.
THREAD...
📷Alex Lake
THREAD...
📷Alex Lake
December 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Last month, I got a commission to write an open-source data project on the recent Radiohead tour for the BBC Verify live page (and plotted a speculative social media video). Yes I was. It didn’t work out… As the year closes, I thought you may like to read it. Merry Christmas.
THREAD...
📷Alex Lake
THREAD...
📷Alex Lake
This purported "suicide" video of Jeffrey Epstein in his prison cell is in the latest batch of Epstein files. But it's a fake 3D render posted to YouTube in 2020.
It's in the files because a Florida conspiracy theorist sent an email to federal investigators in March 2021 asking if it was real.
It's in the files because a Florida conspiracy theorist sent an email to federal investigators in March 2021 asking if it was real.
December 24, 2025 at 5:09 AM
This purported "suicide" video of Jeffrey Epstein in his prison cell is in the latest batch of Epstein files. But it's a fake 3D render posted to YouTube in 2020.
It's in the files because a Florida conspiracy theorist sent an email to federal investigators in March 2021 asking if it was real.
It's in the files because a Florida conspiracy theorist sent an email to federal investigators in March 2021 asking if it was real.
The US State Department says it will deny visas to five people, including a former EU commissioner and the heads of three European organisations combating online misinformation, for seeking to "coerce" US social media platforms into "censorship".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
US denies visas to ex-EU commissioner and others over social media rules
Thierry Breton, the former top tech regulator at the European Commission, says a
www.bbc.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 4:58 AM
The US State Department says it will deny visas to five people, including a former EU commissioner and the heads of three European organisations combating online misinformation, for seeking to "coerce" US social media platforms into "censorship".
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trains were cancelled in Lancaster, UK, after an AI-generated image that seemed to show major damage to a railway bridge was posted on social media following an earthquake.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trains cancelled over fake bridge collapse image
Rail services were cancelled after a 'hoax' picture of a damaged bridge appeared on social media
www.bbc.co.uk
December 10, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Trains were cancelled in Lancaster, UK, after an AI-generated image that seemed to show major damage to a railway bridge was posted on social media following an earthquake.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The US State Department is instructing its staff to deny visas to those engaged in activities like combatting misinformation, disinformation or false narratives, fact-checking, content moderation, compliance, and trust and safety.
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
State Department to deny visas to fact checkers and others, citing 'censorship'
The order is focused on applicants for H-1B visas, which are frequently used by tech companies and is part of a campaign by the Trump administration against online content moderation.
www.npr.org
December 6, 2025 at 2:15 PM
The US State Department is instructing its staff to deny visas to those engaged in activities like combatting misinformation, disinformation or false narratives, fact-checking, content moderation, compliance, and trust and safety.
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n...
Compare the YouTube thumbnail with the actual scene in the video.
December 1, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Compare the YouTube thumbnail with the actual scene in the video.
@thomascopeland.bsky.social and I try to explain why the rollout of user location data by X matters and how it's changing the conversation on the platform after some high-engagement political accounts were criticised for misleading users.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKr3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKr3...
X's new location feature exposes misleading politics accounts | Global News Podcast
YouTube video by BBC News
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:47 AM
@thomascopeland.bsky.social and I try to explain why the rollout of user location data by X matters and how it's changing the conversation on the platform after some high-engagement political accounts were criticised for misleading users.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKr3...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKr3...
Dozens of high-engagement accounts on X, including some pro and anti-Trump users, have been accused of misleading users following the roll-out of a new transparency feature that shows user locations.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
How X's new location feature exposed big US politics accounts
Dozens of pro-Trump accounts are being accused of misleading followers after the social media site began showing user locations.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Dozens of high-engagement accounts on X, including some pro and anti-Trump users, have been accused of misleading users following the roll-out of a new transparency feature that shows user locations.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in areas of Gaza that have remained under its control since the ceasefire with Hamas started on 10 October, satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify show.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in Gaza since ceasefire
Entire neighbourhoods controlled by Israel have been levelled in less than a month, the images show.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in areas of Gaza that have remained under its control since the ceasefire with Hamas started on 10 October, satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify show.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A viral online video, which claims to show "Ukrainian soldiers" threaten to kill Charlie Kirk's wife Erika Kirk, is fake.
Not only do the "soldiers" in the clip speak Ukrainian with a notably strong Russian accent, but it has hallmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign known as Storm-1516.
Not only do the "soldiers" in the clip speak Ukrainian with a notably strong Russian accent, but it has hallmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign known as Storm-1516.
November 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
A viral online video, which claims to show "Ukrainian soldiers" threaten to kill Charlie Kirk's wife Erika Kirk, is fake.
Not only do the "soldiers" in the clip speak Ukrainian with a notably strong Russian accent, but it has hallmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign known as Storm-1516.
Not only do the "soldiers" in the clip speak Ukrainian with a notably strong Russian accent, but it has hallmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign known as Storm-1516.
We used eyewitness accounts from train passengers and stabbing victims alongside verified video and police statements to build a picture of the 20 minutes when the attack on board a train near Huntingdon unfolded.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The 20 terrifying minutes endured by train attack passengers
BBC Verify uses witness statements and video evidence to piece together a timeline of a devastating stabbing.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 6:17 PM
We used eyewitness accounts from train passengers and stabbing victims alongside verified video and police statements to build a picture of the 20 minutes when the attack on board a train near Huntingdon unfolded.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...