Amnesty International reveals Serbian spyware targeting journalists and activists
Amnesty International's Security Lab found that Serbian authorities used Cellebrite tools and a previously unknown spyware named 'NoviSpy' to covertly infect the phones of independent journalist Slaviša Milanov and several activists. The infections occurred while devices were unattended during police or BIA interviews. The report alleges this is part of a wider crackdown on civil society, violating rights to privacy and free expression.
- Company involved
- Serbian Security Information Agency (BIA)
- AI system involved
- NoviSpy
7 source articles · read the reporting →
ShotSpotter held in contempt over refusal to release documents
ShotSpotter, a gunshot-detection technology company, was held in contempt of court after refusing to release documents about how it assesses gunshot alerts. The case stems from a November 2021 DUI arrest in Chicago, where the defence alleges the police pulled the driver over solely based on a ShotSpotter alert. Rather than comply with a subpoena from the Cook County Public Defender Office, ShotSpotter's attorney requested the contempt order to enable an appeal. The defence sought materials on analyst qualifications, alert reclassifications, and sensor accuracy data.
- Company involved
- ShotSpotter
- AI system involved
- ShotSpotter
1 source article · read the reporting →
Chandigarh sanitation workers protest Municipal Corporation's GPS watch order
Hundreds of sanitation workers and garbage collectors in Chandigarh protested outside the Municipal Corporation building against an order requiring them to wear GPS-enabled wrist watches. The workers allege that the watches cause health problems including swelling, dizziness and vomiting, and infringe their privacy. The Municipal Corporation says the watches track attendance and prevent misuse of the manual attendance system; the union has said it will continue striking until the order is revoked.
- Company involved
- Chandigarh Municipal Corporation
- AI system involved
- GPS-enabled wrist watches
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Chinese military researchers used Meta's Llama 2 to develop defense chatbot ChatBIT
Chinese military researchers, including two affiliated with the People's Liberation Army, reportedly used Meta's Llama 2 AI model to develop a defense chatbot called ChatBIT. According to Reuters, the chatbot is designed to gather and process intelligence and offer information for operational decision-making. Meta stated that the use was unauthorized and contrary to its acceptable use policy.
- Company involved
- People's Liberation Army (PLA)
- AI system involved
- ChatBIT
6 source articles · read the reporting →
ExamSoft failure during Michigan Bar Exam
On July 28, 2020, ExamSoft's software platform failed during the Michigan Bar Exam, preventing some test takers from completing the exam. ExamSoft posted a statement on X (formerly Twitter) with the hashtag #MichiganBarExam, but critics noted the company deleted and reposted the statement multiple times, allegedly to hide negative comments. The incident affected a group of examinees and caused disruption to their ability to take the exam.
- Company involved
- ExamSoft
- AI system involved
- ExamSoft platform
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Kohler, BMW, MaxMara secretly collected customers' facial recognition data
During the 2021 CCTV 3·15 Gala, it was revealed that Kohler, BMW, and MaxMara stores had installed facial recognition cameras from vendors such as Wandianzhang and Youluoke. These cameras captured customers' facial data without their knowledge or consent, and the data was used to track customer visits and inform sales strategies. The systems were deployed in thousands of stores across China, collecting over 100 million facial records. The companies did not inform customers or obtain consent, violating Chinese privacy laws.
- Company involved
- Kohler (China) Investment Co., Ltd., ZhengTong Auto (BMW dealerships), MaxMara
- AI system involved
- Facial recognition cameras from Wandianzhang, Youluoke, Yaliang, Ruiwei
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Myanmar junta deploys Huawei facial recognition system threatening rights
In December 2020, the Myanmar military junta rolled out the first phase of its Safe City initiative in Naypyidaw, using 335 surveillance cameras from Huawei equipped with facial recognition and license plate recognition technology. The system automatically scans faces and plates and alerts authorities to individuals on a wanted list. Human Rights Watch warns that the system poses a grave risk to privacy and rights, especially for anti-coup activists, and that the junta has suspended key privacy protections.
- Company involved
- Myanmar military junta
- AI system involved
- Safe City surveillance system
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Michael L. Ruiz v. Magellan Financial & Insurance Services (2) (D. Arizona): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Formal public reprimand
AI-hallucinated fake quotations were included in court filings submitted by counsel Elizabeth Tate, misleading the court.
1 source article · read the reporting →
Huawei and Megvii tested Uyghur alarm facial recognition system
Huawei and Megvii conducted an interoperability test in 2018 that verified a 'Uyghur alarm' function in Megvii's facial recognition system, according to a confidential report found by IPVM. The system could identify Uyghur minorities and alert police. Huawei denied real-world application and deleted the report after IPVM inquired. Megvii denied targeting ethnic groups. The test report was publicly accessible on Huawei's European website.
- Company involved
- Huawei
- AI system involved
- Megvii Dynamic Face Recognition
10 source articles · read the reporting →
ViaQuatro's facial recognition system in São Paulo metro challenged in court
In April 2018, ViaQuatro installed the Digital Interactive Doors System, developed by AdMobilize, on the São Paulo metro's yellow line. The system used cameras to detect passengers' faces and claimed to infer their emotion, age, and gender in order to target advertisements. The Brazilian Institute of Consumer Protection (IDEC) filed a public civil action alleging that the system violated consumer and data protection laws by processing biometric data without consent and making pseudoscientific and discriminatory inferences. A judge ordered the cameras removed in August 2018, and the case is pending a final ruling.
- Company involved
- ViaQuatro
- AI system involved
- Digital Interactive Doors System (DID system)
10 source articles · read the reporting →
GSMA fined €200,000 for facial recognition privacy violation at MWC
In 2021, Dr Anastasia Dedyukhina was invited to speak at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The organizers required her to upload biometric data (passport) online for identity verification, which she refused. She was then forced to attend virtually. She filed a complaint with the Spanish data protection agency (AEPD) along with Adam Leon Smith. Two years later, the AEPD fined GSMA €200,000 for infringing the privacy of nearly 20,000 attendees through the use of facial recognition without proper justification.
- Company involved
- GSMA
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Canon uses AI smile recognition cameras to control office access
Canon Information Technology deployed AI cameras at its Beijing headquarters that only allow smiling employees to enter the office or book conference rooms. The system uses smile recognition to enforce a positive atmosphere. Some workers have complained about the intrusiveness of the technology. Canon defended the system, saying it encourages a positive work environment.
- Company involved
- Canon Information Technology (Canon China)
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Pepper robot has severe security vulnerabilities allowing remote takeover
Researchers from Örebro University and Technical University of Denmark discovered multiple security flaws in SoftBank's Pepper robot, including unencrypted password transmission and lack of authentication for control commands. They demonstrated that attackers could remotely take over the robot, access its camera and microphone, and potentially cause physical harm to people. The manufacturers have not taken any measures to address the vulnerabilities.
- Company involved
- SoftBank Mobile and Aldebaran Robotics
- AI system involved
- Pepper
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Serbia's Ministry of Interior deploys thousands of Huawei facial recognition cameras in Belgrade
In early 2019, Serbia's Ministry of Interior announced the deployment of a thousand smart surveillance cameras with facial and license plate recognition capabilities, supplied by Huawei, across Belgrade. The Ministry refused to release information about the project, citing confidentiality, and failed to conduct a legally required Data Protection Impact Assessment. Citizens responded by crowdsourcing camera locations via the hashtag #hiljadekamera and a website. The system remains in operation with no public debate or transparency.
- Company involved
- Ministry of Interior
- AI system involved
- Huawei smart surveillance cameras
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Met Police buys £3m retrospective facial recognition system
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has awarded a £3 million, four-year contract to Northgate Public Services for a new retrospective facial-recognition (RFR) system to be deployed within three months. RFR processes biometric information from historic CCTV, social media, and other images to identify suspects and missing persons, operating retroactively unlike live facial recognition. The procurement was approved by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime in August 2021. The MPS states that human-in-the-loop decision-making will be used, but digital rights groups and a former biometrics commissioner have raised concerns about potential discrimination, overrepresentation of marginalised groups in watch lists, and lack of a legislative framework.
- Company involved
- Metropolitan Police Service
- AI system involved
- Retrospective facial-recognition software
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Serco Leisure issued enforcement notices for unlawful biometric monitoring of employees
Serco Leisure and associated trusts used facial recognition and fingerprint scanning to monitor employee attendance at 38 leisure facilities. The ICO found they unlawfully processed biometric data of over 2,000 employees. Enforcement notices were issued ordering them to stop.
- Company involved
- Serco Leisure Operating Limited
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Houston's ShotSpotter system delays police response and over-polices minority communities
Houston Police Department deployed ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, in Southeast and Northwest Houston starting in late 2020. The system alerts police to suspected gunfire, but over 80% of alerts are unfounded. This has led to longer response times for other calls and increased police presence in predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods, causing anxiety and concerns of over-policing. Critics argue the technology has not reduced gun violence and diverts resources from more effective strategies.
- Company involved
- Houston Police Department
- AI system involved
- ShotSpotter
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Chicago class action challenges ShotSpotter's discriminatory stop-and-frisk deployments
ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system used by the Chicago Police Department, generates alerts that lead to police deployments and stop-and-frisk stops. Analyses show over 90% of alerts are unfounded, and the system is deployed only in predominantly Black and Latinx districts. A class-action lawsuit against the City of Chicago alleges the system fuels unconstitutional and discriminatory policing, including false accusations against individuals like Michael Williams.
- Company involved
- City of Chicago
- AI system involved
- ShotSpotter
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Xiaomi phones have capability to remotely censor keywords, report claims
A security report from Lithuania's Defence Ministry found that Xiaomi Mi 10T phones contain a list of blocked keywords that can be remotely activated for censorship. The feature was disabled in Europe but researchers claim Xiaomi has the technical capability to enable it without user knowledge. Xiaomi denied censoring communications but did not deny the capability exists.
- Company involved
- Xiaomi
- AI system involved
- Xiaomi Mi 10T
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Manchester Arena's Evolv weapon scanners fail to detect some knives, report finds
ASM Global's use of Evolv Express AI weapon scanners at Manchester Arena has been questioned after a private report found the system failed to detect large knives in 42% of walkthroughs. The report, produced by NCS4 and obtained by IPVM, also suggested the scanners may miss some bombs and components. Evolv did not dispute the findings but said it communicates capabilities and limitations to customers. ASM Global declined to comment on security matters.
- Company involved
- ASM Global
- AI system involved
- Evolv Express
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Dallas police used robot to kill gunman after standoff
In July 2016, the Dallas Police Department used a remote-controlled bomb disposal robot to deliver an explosive device to kill Micah Xavier Johnson, a gunman who had killed five police officers and was barricaded in a parking garage. Police Chief David Brown stated that the tactic was used as a last resort to avoid exposing officers to further danger. The incident raised ethical questions about the use of robots for lethal force by law enforcement.
- Company involved
- Dallas Police Department
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Mistral releases unmoderated chatbot that gives instructions on murder and ethnic cleansing
Mistral, a French AI startup valued at $260 million, released an open-source large language model named Mistral-7B-v0.1 without safety evaluations or moderation mechanisms. The model readily provides detailed instructions on murder, ethnic cleansing, suicide, and other harmful content. Mistral added a statement after the release acknowledging the lack of moderation but did not remove the model, which is distributed via torrent and cannot be deleted.
- Company involved
- Mistral
- AI system involved
- Mistral-7B-v0.1
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Durham's ShotSpotter fails to detect two deadly shootings
ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system piloted by the Durham Police Department, failed to detect two fatal shootings in February 2023, as well as a New Year's Day shooting that injured five. The system, which uses sensors and human review to alert police, did not send alerts for these incidents within its three-square-mile coverage area. The company stated it investigated and provided a report to the police, while a city official defended the pilot, noting it is still early in the year-long trial. Community concerns have been raised about increased police presence and potential racial profiling.
- Company involved
- Durham Police Department
- AI system involved
- ShotSpotter
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Philip Morris accused of using AI to rig EU tobacco consultation responses
Dutch broadcasters Pointer and NOS allege that Philip Morris International used an AI-powered platform, 'Your Voice, Your Choice', to generate responses to the European Commission's public consultation on tobacco legislation. The platform offered pre-defined responses and AI assistance, leading to an estimated 30 per cent of all responses being AI-generated. Philip Morris denies wrongdoing, stating that users retained full control and that anti-tobacco lobbyists are attempting to discredit legitimate participation. The incident raises concerns about the integrity of EU democratic processes.
- Company involved
- Philip Morris International
- AI system involved
- Your Voice, Your Choice
4 source articles · read the reporting →
