Yes the article is absolutely true!
As for the date change which can be done in Pak by using ingenious methods, there is a cure for that too. If you look closer at the tires and see small minute cracks then be wary. But what if the tire has been never used and is still under wraps, then you would have to flex the tyre a bit and if dry enough the tyre will show again minute cracks. Yes tires stored for a long period under wraps tend to dry out and crack.