Core Viewpoint - The recent incidents of "free vegetable picking" in Inner Mongolia and Shaanxi highlight the dangers of misinformation and its impact on agricultural producers, leading to significant financial losses for farmers due to public misinterpretation of social media posts [1][2][4]. Summary by Sections Incident Overview - A viral video claimed that farmers in Inner Mongolia were allowing free picking of unharvested potatoes, leading to a surge of visitors [1]. - A similar incident occurred in Shaanxi, where rumors of free chili picking resulted in chaos and theft [1][2]. Financial Impact - The contractor of the cabbage field in Inner Mongolia reported losses of nearly 1 million yuan due to the unauthorized picking of approximately 200 acres of cabbage, with an estimated loss of 5,000 yuan per acre [2]. Legal Implications - Legal experts emphasize that participants in the cabbage theft could face civil liability for damages and potential criminal charges for collective theft, depending on the severity of the actions [3]. - The concept of "law does not punish the crowd" is a misunderstanding, as collective theft can lead to serious legal consequences [3]. Role of Misinformation - The spread of false information on social media played a crucial role in inciting these incidents, with both the thieves and the originators of the rumors being held accountable [4][5]. - The rapid dissemination of unverified information can lead to significant harm, highlighting the need for responsible sharing and verification of content [5]. Responsibility and Accountability - Legal provisions indicate that those who spread false information that results in harm must bear responsibility for damages [5]. - The distinction between legitimate agricultural practices and the misinterpretation of "free" offerings must be clarified, as farmers should retain control over their produce [5].