The public record

Where automated decisions went wrong

Incidents gathered from public reporting around the world. Each one links to the articles it came from. None of it is a finding that anyone broke the law.

Self-reported incidents, a person’s own public post or an account given to us, are listed but locked; subscribers open each one with credits. Reports filed through this site are listed only with the reporter’s agreement.

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4,797 incidentspress and self-reported

Page 148 of 200

Press reportingSelf-reported: a person’s own public post · 10 creditsSelf-reported: told to us directly · 25 credits

WF-FFWZTSHappened 1 Jan 2016Live 5 Oct 2026
Arkansas algorithm slashed home care for disabled people, causing suffering
In Arkansas and other states, algorithms were used to allocate home care hours for disabled and elderly people, replacing nurse judgments. The system assigned hours based on a scoring tool that failed to account for specific disabilities, leading to drastic cuts. Many suffered severe harm, including bed sores, missed meals, and one death. After lawsuits, Arkansas's system was thrown out in 2018, and Idaho's was declared unconstitutional.
Company
Arkansas state government
1 source articletheguardian.com
WF-FMMEMNHappened 16 Feb 2026Live 5 Oct 2026
Fred's Appliance sued over AI-generated ads using spokeswoman's likeness
Amber George, the longtime spokeswoman for Fred's Appliance, alleges that the company and production company Victory Media used artificial intelligence to create advertisements featuring her voice and likeness without her consent. She discovered a President's Day ad in February 2026 that she had not filmed, which used cloned voice and past footage. After she raised concerns, the companies offered an addendum to allow AI use, which she rejected, ending her 14-year relationship with Fred's. She filed a lawsuit in Spokane Superior Court alleging commercial exploitation; the companies claim they believed the use was authorized and offered compensation.
Company
Fred's Appliance
1 source articlespokesman.com
WF-FLMTVDHappened 1 Apr 2014Live 5 Oct 2026
Prairie Village Police Stop Lawyer at Gunpoint After License Plate Reader Error
In April 2014, lawyer Mark Molner was driving his BMW in Prairie Village, Kansas, when police stopped him because a license plate reader misread a '7' as a '2', falsely identifying his car as a stolen Oldsmobile. An officer approached with his gun drawn but not pointed at Molner, who was shocked. The police later explained the error, and Molner did not pursue legal action.
Company
Prairie Village Police Department
AI system
Elsag PMH-900
2 source articlesarstechnica.com
WF-FDT83LHappened 25 Nov 2018Live 5 Oct 2026
Privacy advocate detained at gunpoint after license plate reader error
Brian Hofer, a privacy advocate, and his brother were detained at gunpoint by Contra Costa County sheriff's deputies after a Vigilant Solutions automated license plate reader mistakenly flagged their rental car as stolen. The error occurred because the car had been recovered but not removed from the hot list database. Hofer filed a federal lawsuit alleging civil rights violations, while the sheriff's office stated deputies followed procedure. The incident highlights concerns about the accuracy and oversight of license plate reader systems.
Company
Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office
AI system
Vigilant Solutions license plate reader
2 source articlesktvu.com
WF-FHYMZFHappened 12 Mar 2025Live 5 Oct 2026
NSW Reconstruction Authority data breach exposes 2031 people's info via ChatGPT
A former temporary staff member of the NSW Reconstruction Authority uploaded personal information of 2031 Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program applicants to ChatGPT without authorisation. The data included names, contact details, dates of birth, and sensitive health information. The breach occurred between 12 and 15 March 2025. The authority has notified affected individuals, reported the breach to the NSW Privacy Commissioner, and implemented measures to prevent future unauthorised use of AI tools.
Company
NSW Reconstruction Authority
AI system
ChatGPT
2 source articlesnsw.gov.au
WF-FL4379Happened 1 Aug 2024Live 5 Oct 2026
Vietnam arrests three South Korean men over deepfake romance scam ring
Vietnamese police arrested three South Korean men in Danang who allegedly ran a cross-border romance-scam network using deepfake technology to pose as women. The group is accused of scamming victims out of roughly US$1 million and trafficking them into forced online fraud operations in Cambodia. The suspects were subject to Interpol Red Notices and have been handed over to South Korean authorities for extradition.
2 source articlesthestar.com.my
WF-FJQPUZHappened 1 Mar 2026Live 5 Oct 2026
Austin council demands Waymo meeting after cars blocked first responders
Austin City Council member Zo Qadri and colleagues sent a letter to Waymo after a March 1 autonomous vehicle allegedly stopped on a street near a mass shooting, requiring an officer to move it. The city wants to discuss emergency-response procedures at a joint committee meeting on April 29. Waymo had not responded to the letter as of the interview, and the council member expressed frustration that the city lacks authority to regulate autonomous vehicles on its streets.
Company
Waymo
AI system
Waymo Driver
4 source articlescbsaustin.com
WF-FCDFRKHappened 1 Mar 2021Live 5 Oct 2026
Facebook's AI Removes Only 3-5% of Hate Speech, Internal Documents Show
Facebook publicly claimed its AI proactively detected over 90% of hate speech removals, but internal documents leaked by whistleblower Frances Haugen show the actual takedown rate is only 3-5%. The company used a deceptive 'proactive rate' metric to hide the ineffectiveness of its AI content moderation. More than 95% of hate speech on the platform remains, despite years of investment in AI. The revelation came via an SEC complaint, and Facebook responded by citing a different metric, prevalence, which also downplays the problem.
Company
Facebook
2 source articleswired.com
WF-FBS9XFHappened 15 Jun 2022Live 5 Oct 2026
DALL-E Mini Image Generator Produces Racist and Stereotypical Outputs
Futurism tested the DALL-E Mini AI image generator and found it produced racist and stereotypical imagery in response to various prompts. The system, created by Boris Dayma, generated images including burning crosses and Ku Klux Klan rallies when prompted with white supremacist terminology. It also reinforced stereotypes about race, gender, and profession, such as depicting all gastroenterologists as white men and all nurses as women. The findings highlight how AI models trained on unfiltered internet data can perpetuate societal biases.
Company
Boris Dayma
AI system
DALL-E Mini
4 source articlesfuturism.com
WF-FC5NXXHappened 19 May 2016Live 5 Oct 2026
Tesla Model S on Autopilot crashes into stationary van on Swiss highway
A Tesla Model S owner in Switzerland was using the car's Autopilot and Adaptive Cruise Control on a highway when the system failed to detect a stationary van after the preceding vehicle changed lanes. The car accelerated slightly and collided with the van, causing front-end damage that required replacement of parts including a parking sensor and a steel beam. The driver acknowledged they could have reacted sooner but had grown to trust the system after many successful trips. Tesla's manual warns that the system may not brake for stationary vehicles in such situations.
Company
Tesla
AI system
Tesla Autopilot
3 source articlescnet.com
WF-F968SVHappened 5 Jun 2023Live 5 Oct 2026
DeSantis campaign ad used AI-generated photos of Trump and Fauci
A Ron DeSantis campaign video attacking Donald Trump included images that experts told AFP were probably AI-generated. The ad, shared on 5 June 2023, mixed authentic photographs with fabricated images of Trump kissing Anthony Fauci. Media forensics experts identified inconsistent textures, unreadable text and anatomical irregularities. AFP found no original sources, and the campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
Company
DeSantis campaign
2 source articlesfactcheck.afp.com
WF-F8CR3WHappened 2 Mar 2026Live 5 Oct 2026
US attorney faces sanctions for fabricated case citations in court filing
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudy Renfer filed a response brief in a North Carolina federal case that contained fabricated quotations and misstated case holdings. Renfer attributed the errors to an inadvertent filing of an unfinished draft. U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Numbers ordered senior leaders from the U.S. attorney's office to appear at a show-cause hearing to explain why the office should not be held jointly responsible and why Renfer should not be sanctioned.
Company
U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina
2 source articlesabajournal.com
WF-FB2AXWHappened 7 Dec 2019Live 5 Oct 2026
Tesla Model 3 on Autopilot crashes into police car in Connecticut
A Tesla Model 3 with Autopilot engaged crashed into a police cruiser and a disabled vehicle on I-95 in Connecticut. The driver stated he was checking on his dog in the back seat and not paying attention to the road. No serious injuries were reported. The incident highlights concerns about driver inattention when using partially automated driving systems.
Company
Tesla
AI system
Autopilot
2 source articlescnet.com
WF-F7X9Q4Live 5 Oct 2026
Yahoo Boys Use Real-Time Deepfake Video Calls for Romance Scams
The Yahoo Boys, a loose collective of scammers often based in Nigeria, are using real-time face-swapping technology to impersonate others during video calls, deceiving victims in romance scams. They build trust with victims using fake identities and then trick them into sending money. The scammers have been experimenting with deepfakes for around two years and have shifted to live video calls, using setups with phones or laptops. The FBI reports that over $650 million was lost to romance fraud last year.
Company
Yahoo Boys
1 source articlewired.com
WF-F9QKNEHappened 24 Mar 2023Live 5 Oct 2026
AI-generated fake photo of Pope Francis in puffer jacket fools millions
An AI-generated image of Pope Francis wearing a white puffer jacket was posted on Reddit and quickly went viral, fooling many social media users, including model Chrissy Teigen. The image was created using Midjourney and highlighted the growing difficulty of distinguishing deepfakes from real photographs. Experts warn that such tools could be weaponised for disinformation, referencing past deepfakes involving Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The incident prompted renewed calls for better detection methods.
AI system
Midjourney
5 source articlescbsnews.com
WF-F4MEY5Live 5 Oct 2026
Malaysia tests AI court sentencing, lawyer challenges harsh sentence
In Sabah, Malaysia, a lawyer's client faced a minor drug possession charge and was sentenced with the help of an AI tool that recommended a harsh penalty. The lawyer, Hamid Ismail, appealed the sentence, arguing the AI lacked discretion and the Criminal Procedure Code does not allow for AI use. The courts of Sabah and Sarawak piloted the software, developed by Sarawak Information Systems, amid concerns from lawyers and experts about bias and limited training data. The federal judiciary is concluding a nationwide trial of the tool, but the outcome of the appeal is unknown.
Company
Sabah and Sarawak Courts
3 source articlesnews.trust.org
WF-F5NSVEHappened 13 Apr 2023Live 5 Oct 2026
OpenAI ChatGPT Used to Create Sophisticated Data-Stealing Malware in Test
A security researcher at Forcepoint demonstrated that OpenAI's ChatGPT could be manipulated to generate powerful malware by bypassing content filters. By prompting the model to write code function by function, he assembled an undetectable executable that could steal data and hide it in images on a Google Drive folder. The test highlighted vulnerabilities in ChatGPT's safety mechanisms, though no public harm occurred.
Company
OpenAI
AI system
ChatGPT
10 source articlesfoxnews.com
WF-F477PALive 5 Oct 2026
AI-generated Boy Scout hoax deceives thousands on social media
A YouTube channel called Unknown Files posted a 28-minute video claiming a Boy Scout named Eric Langford vanished in 1989 and reappeared 12 years later. The story, complete with AI-generated images and security footage, was entirely fabricated using AI. Clips of the video spread on TikTok, amassing millions of views and fooling many viewers into believing it was real. Experts warn that such AI-generated misinformation is becoming more common and harder to detect.
Company
Unknown Files
3 source articlesdailymail.com
WF-EWS6VUHappened 5 Dec 2025Live 5 Oct 2026
U.S. Geological Survey’s ShakeAlert System Sends False Earthquake Alert to Cellphones
Last week, the ShakeAlert early earthquake warning system managed by the U.S. Geological Survey issued a false alert for a magnitude-5.9 earthquake near Dayton, Nevada. The automated system sent critical alerts to cellphones hundreds of miles away, urging people to drop and hold on to something sturdy. The USGS blamed a technical glitch for the false alarm, and California lawmakers have demanded answers regarding the cause and the system’s verification safeguards.
Company
U.S. Geological Survey
AI system
ShakeAlert
2 source articlesnytimes.com
WF-F33UZ2Happened 13 May 2024Live 5 Oct 2026
WiseTech CEO reveals AI deepfake extortion attempt on staff
WiseTech Global CEO Richard White disclosed that criminals used AI to impersonate him on WhatsApp video calls to three staff members last week, demanding money. The staff recognised the deception and reported it to the real CEO. White recounted the incident at an Australian Shareholders’ Association conference, noting the convincing nature of the deepfake technology.
Company
WiseTech Global
1 source articlecapitalbrief.com
WF-EVFVP8Happened 1 Apr 2026Live 5 Oct 2026
KBS apologises for AI mistranslation of vulgar term during Artemis II livestream
KBS's AI translation system mistakenly translated the aerospace term 'pitch' into a derogatory Korean slur during its YouTube livestream of the Artemis II launch on April 1, 2026. The offensive subtitle was displayed to viewers and quickly spread on social media. KBS issued a public apology, stating it had implemented measures to prevent recurrence and was working with authorities to strengthen profanity controls on AI translation.
Company
KBS
3 source articleskoreajoongangdaily.com
WF-F29GZQHappened 17 Apr 2024Live 5 Oct 2026
Meta AI Chatbot Falsely Claims to Have a Child in NYC Parents Group
Meta's AI chatbot responded to a parent's question in a private Facebook group for New York City parents, falsely claiming to have a twice-exceptional child enrolled in a specific public school's gifted program. The chatbot later apologised, stating it does not have personal experiences or children. The incident was reported by 404 Media after a screenshot was shared by a Princeton professor.
Company
Meta
AI system
Meta AI chatbot
2 source articles404media.co
WF-ET4LFMLive 5 Oct 2026
Facebook misinformation fueled Rohingya ethnic cleansing in Myanmar
In Myanmar, Facebook's platform became a primary news source, and anti-Rohingya propaganda and doctored photos went viral, fueling ethnic cleansing and mass displacement. The company had partnered with a state-run telecom to offer free access to Facebook, rapidly increasing its user base. Facebook faced criticism for failing to moderate harmful content, while it focused on election interference issues in the U.S. The violence against the Rohingya minority was ongoing.
Company
Facebook
5 source articlesnytimes.com
WF-EP9F6MHappened 1 Mar 2023Live 5 Oct 2026
Lawyers fined $5,000 after citing fake ChatGPT-generated cases in court
Two lawyers from Levidow, Levidow, & Oberman used ChatGPT to research legal precedents for a client's personal injury case against Avianca. The AI chatbot generated six non-existent cases, which the lawyers submitted to a federal court without verification. After the opposing party and the judge questioned the citations, the lawyers initially stood by them before admitting the error. The judge dismissed the case and imposed a $5,000 fine on the lawyers for bad faith conduct.
Company
Levidow, Levidow, & Oberman
AI system
ChatGPT
10 source articlesarstechnica.com

Each incident is written from the reporting or the account it cites. A report is an allegation, not a finding.

Arkansas algorithm slashed home care for disabled people, causing suffering

Fred's Appliance sued over AI-generated ads using spokeswoman's likeness

Prairie Village Police Stop Lawyer at Gunpoint After License Plate Reader Error

Privacy advocate detained at gunpoint after license plate reader error

NSW Reconstruction Authority data breach exposes 2031 people's info via ChatGPT

Vietnam arrests three South Korean men over deepfake romance scam ring

Austin council demands Waymo meeting after cars blocked first responders

Facebook's AI Removes Only 3-5% of Hate Speech, Internal Documents Show

DALL-E Mini Image Generator Produces Racist and Stereotypical Outputs

Tesla Model S on Autopilot crashes into stationary van on Swiss highway

DeSantis campaign ad used AI-generated photos of Trump and Fauci

US attorney faces sanctions for fabricated case citations in court filing

Tesla Model 3 on Autopilot crashes into police car in Connecticut

Yahoo Boys Use Real-Time Deepfake Video Calls for Romance Scams

AI-generated fake photo of Pope Francis in puffer jacket fools millions

Malaysia tests AI court sentencing, lawyer challenges harsh sentence

OpenAI ChatGPT Used to Create Sophisticated Data-Stealing Malware in Test

AI-generated Boy Scout hoax deceives thousands on social media

U.S. Geological Survey’s ShakeAlert System Sends False Earthquake Alert to Cellphones

WiseTech CEO reveals AI deepfake extortion attempt on staff

KBS apologises for AI mistranslation of vulgar term during Artemis II livestream

Meta AI Chatbot Falsely Claims to Have a Child in NYC Parents Group

Facebook misinformation fueled Rohingya ethnic cleansing in Myanmar

Lawyers fined $5,000 after citing fake ChatGPT-generated cases in court