AI-manipulated photo of quake victim sparks outrage, legal threat from Japanese newspaper

A photo of a Kumamoto earthquake victim originally published by the Mainichi Shimbun (the original image was published July 29) was manipulated using generative AI so the man appeared smiling and flashing a V-sign; the doctored image spread widely on social media. The manipulated image prompted waves of abusive comments targeting the victim and the disaster-affected region. The 72-year-old victim filed a damage report with the Kumamoto Prefectural Police, and the Mainichi Shimbun described the incident as "extremely regrettable" and said it was considering legal action.

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