Taoyuan Man Indicted for Spreading AI-Generated Fake News about Potato Poisoning

(Central News Agency reporter Wu Rui-chi, Taoyuan, 4th) A man surnamed Wang from Taoyuan has been spreading AI-generated fake news online since April 25, claiming that 'multiple people in Kaohsiung were sent to the hospital after becoming unwell from consuming potato products.' Taoyuan prosecutors concluded the investigation on April 30 and indicted the defendant for spreading false information related to food safety under the Food Safety Act, requesting the court to impose a severe sentence.

The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office stated today that prosecutor Wang Nian-heng of the Public Livelihood Special Team, under the command of the Cybersecurity Investigation Office of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, investigated and found that Wang had been continuously publishing AI-generated fake news reports on multiple Facebook fan pages since April 25. The prosecution summoned Wang for questioning on April 27, believing that his actions caused public fear regarding the safety of potatoes and related products, affected the operations of relevant businesses, and exacerbated social unrest. A detention request was made to the court, which ruled for bail at NT$20,000.

Taoyuan prosecutors pointed out that they concluded the investigation on April 30 and indicted the defendant for violating the Food Safety and Sanitation Management Act by spreading false information related to food safety. Considering that the defendant, without verification, continuously published AI-generated fake news reports in several Facebook groups containing phrases like 'multiple people in Kaohsiung were sent to the hospital after becoming unwell from consuming potato products' and commented with remarks such as 'The injustice has its source, find whoever imported it,' it was determined that the harm caused by the defendant was not light and his attitude after the crime was poor. Therefore, the court is requested to impose a heavy sentence.

Taoyuan prosecutors explained that for such criminal acts attempting to cause public fear and unrest with false food safety information and waste social resources, they adhere to the principles of swift handling, strict investigation, and immediate clarification. The case was filed for investigation on April 27, and the investigation was swiftly concluded, and the defendant indicted to refute the false information. At the same time, the public is urged to remain calm when receiving suspicious food safety information, as online rumors spread quickly. They should first verify with relevant government agencies and refrain from forwarding such information indiscriminately, to avoid mistakenly falling into legal traps and causing social panic.