Viral Image of Tesla Cybertruck Taxi in Hong Kong Revealed as Edited

Tesla Cybertruck is one of the luxurious electronic vehicles. Yet, a viral photo of a Tesla Cybertruck purportedly operating as a taxi has been widely shared on social media. However, Fact Crescendo has determined that this viral photo is digitally altered.

Social Media Claim

Recently, a Facebook user posted a viral photo of a red Tesla Cybertruck operating as a taxi in Hong Kong. The user expressed their amazement and excitement at the idea of such an expensive and luxurious vehicle beginning to operate as a taxi.

Such photos have been circulated several times, with mixed reactions and expressions from users.

The following photo is captured by the above Facebook user who says, “Wow! Tesla Cybertruck is a taxi in Hong Kong”.

Facebook Post | Archived Link

The same photo, along with the identical claim, has also been observed and shared by another Instagram user. This repetition highlights the viral nature of the image and its ability to spread across different platforms. 

You can find the details below for more information and specifics regarding this post.

Instagram Post | Archived Link

Similarly, the photo mentioned above was also found and posted on X recently, accompanied by a caption that said, “Wow! Tesla Cybertruck be a taxi in Hong Kong”.

X Post | Archived Link

Given the claim’s extensive dissemination and the considerable attention it has received from the internet community, we believed it was necessary to perform a fact-check on the above subject.

Fact Check

Fact Crescendo monitors and verifies these photos through the Google Reverse Image Search process, which leads us to find the truth as follows:

As a result of conducting a reverse image search on Google, we uncovered that the first instance of the image was shared on Instagram by a user with the handle “Surrealhk” on July 18, 2024. This discovery came several months before the image started to circulate in various misleading posts across social media platforms.

The original creator of the photo has clarified in their post that it was made using Photoshop. This comes after recent taxi fare increases in Hong Kong, which have sparked discussions about the need for new vehicles and improved services.

You can find the details below for more information and specifics regarding this post.

Instagram Post | Archived Link

We have also discovered that the Instagram user mentioned earlier has shared several other similarly edited photos of Hong Kong taxis. These additional images showcase a range of creatively altered taxis, often designed to attract attention or provoke a reaction from viewers.

Instagram Profile | Archived Link

By examining this user’s account, it becomes clear that they are actively curating content that blurs the line between reality and fiction. Each edited photo not only misrepresents the actual state of Hong Kong’s taxi service but also contributes to a growing trend of misinformation that can mislead the public.

The above viral photo has also been fact-checked and investigated by AFP to determine its authenticity and whether such a situation is occurring in Hong Kong. Their findings revealed that the photo is simply a product of Photoshop, and no Tesla Cybertrucks are operating as taxis in the city.

AFP Link | Archived Link

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Conclusion

Fact Crescendo found that the above photo posted on social media has been digitally altered. Currently, no Tesla Cybertrucks are operating as taxis in Hong Kong, and the viral photo was created solely for artistic purposes.