Recognise three different dates
Fictional example: Marco receives a photograph of a flooded street, with a message saying the route to the station is closed. The message has just arrived. The linked news report, however, is dated the previous year. The photograph may be genuine without showing today’s conditions.
Marco asks when the event happened, when the report appeared and when the message was forwarded. The chat timestamp answers only the last question. Taking a fresh screenshot does not change the age of the event shown in it.
Read the complete original item
Search for the headline or a distinctive phrase at the named source. Check the actual publisher and web address. A screenshot may retain a logo and headline while cutting off the date, qualifications or later corrections. It cannot substitute for the full report.
Read beyond the headline and notice place names, years and phrases such as at the time or last week. A visible update date may indicate an editorial change; it does not establish that every event described happened on that date.
Check the current connection separately
For a present transport disruption, open current information from the responsible operator or local authority. For another subject, identify the relevant organisation. Several sites repeating the same old report are not independent confirmation of the current situation.
Compare the precise claim, not merely similar keywords. A closure in a different town or an earlier warning about a similar product does not answer today’s question. If you cannot find current confirmation, describe the result as unresolved rather than treating absence of evidence as a final answer.
Use image checks as supporting information
A reverse image search or a feature such as About this image may show earlier uses. An earlier appearance can challenge a claim that the photograph was taken today. But the earliest search result is not necessarily the original capture date.
Only upload public material that does not reveal additional private information. Where possible, use a relevant public crop and consider the search service’s terms. An unsuccessful image search proves neither recency nor authenticity. An AI tool cannot reliably reconstruct missing context simply because its explanation sounds plausible.
Correct the record clearly
If you already shared the item, add a short correction in the same conversation: the report is from an earlier period, and today’s conditions need a separate check. Link to a current source when available. Do not assume that the person who forwarded it intended to deceive anyone.
Older material remains useful when clearly presented as historical context. For an immediate safety decision, use current official guidance and contact the appropriate service where necessary. A private search is not a substitute for an authoritative assessment of conditions on the ground.
Your checklist
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Common questions
Is an old article automatically wrong?
No. It may accurately describe a past event. The problem arises when it is used without checking to make a claim about the situation today.
Does a recent update date mean a new event occurred?
No. A page might have changed because of revised links, a language correction or an added note. Read what was actually updated.
What should I say if I cannot find the date?
Explain that the timing is not yet verified. Ask for the original source and avoid circulating the item as a current warning while the question remains open.
Sources and further information
Primary sources from public authorities, consumer organisations and providers. A source may be in another language; follow the guidance that applies to your service and where you live.
- UNESCO: Check the facts – Datum, Quelle und Kontext prüfenSource review date:
- Google: New ways to access About this imageSource review date:
