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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4,811 incidentspress and self-reported

Page 158 of 201

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

WF-98E6JRHappened 22 Mar 2023Live 3 Oct 2026
Microsoft Bing chatbot falsely claims Google Bard shut down, citing AI-generated fake news
In March 2023, Microsoft's Bing chatbot incorrectly told a user that Google's Bard chatbot had been shut down. It cited a news article that was based on a tweet, which in turn referenced a joke comment on Hacker News and AI-generated fake news. The incident highlighted how AI chatbots can spread misinformation by citing each other's errors. Microsoft later corrected the response.
Company
Microsoft
AI system
Bing chatbot
2 source articlestheverge.com
WF-94T3ZAHappened 1 Apr 2024Live 3 Oct 2026
Deepfake Video of Actor Mihail Bilalov Used in Facebook Ad for Joint Pain Product
A sponsored Facebook video used deepfake technology to manipulate footage of Bulgarian actor Mihail Bilalov, making it appear he endorsed a joint pain product. The video, created with artificial intelligence, superimposed fabricated audio and altered lip movements. Clicking the ad led to a fake article mimicking a Bulgarian news site, which was actually a sales page for an unregulated product. Factcheck.bg identified the video as a deepfake and warned that similar ads featured other Bulgarian celebrities.
1 source articlefactcheck.bg
WF-99N8ELHappened 1 Mar 2020Live 3 Oct 2026
Hundreds of AI tools built for covid proved unfit for clinical use
During the covid-19 pandemic, researchers worldwide developed hundreds of AI tools to diagnose or triage patients. Multiple reviews, including studies in the British Medical Journal and Nature Machine Intelligence, found that none of the 232 diagnostic or prognostic algorithms and 415 deep-learning models examined were fit for clinical use. Some tools were used in hospitals despite a lack of proper testing, and researchers fear they may have harmed patients. The failures are attributed to poor data quality, methodological errors, and a lack of collaboration between AI developers and clinicians.
Company
Various hospitals and private developers
AI system
Multiple unnamed AI diagnostic and prognostic tools
1 source articletechnologyreview.com
WF-9678W2Happened 5 Mar 2025Live 3 Oct 2026
Apple AI voicemail transcription turns garage invite into X-rated message
Louise Littlejohn, 66, from Dunfermline, received a voicemail from a Lookers Land Rover garage inviting her to an event. Apple's voicemail transcription service converted the message to text, but mistakenly inserted a question about sex and an insult. The actual voicemail was a conventional business call, and the error is believed to have been caused by background noise and scripted speech. Apple and the garage declined to comment.
Company
Apple
AI system
Apple voicemail transcription
1 source articlebbc.com
WF-93TJFHHappened 1 Jun 2016Live 3 Oct 2026
Google Images displays mugshots for black teenagers, stock photos for white teenagers
In June 2016, a search for 'three black teenagers' on Google Images returned mugshots, while 'three white teenagers' showed happy stock photos. The biased results sparked criticism of racial bias in Google's search algorithm. The incident highlighted concerns about algorithmic discrimination.
Company
Google
AI system
Google Images
10 source articleswashingtonpost.com
WF-94FUEGHappened 18 Feb 2019Live 3 Oct 2026
Apple Maps Strands Drivers on Snowy Mountain Road in Big Bear
Rachael and her partner Thomas were leaving Big Bear, California after a ski trip when Apple Maps directed them onto an unpaved, snow-covered road to avoid traffic. They became stranded and were eventually helped by another driver. California Highway Patrol warns that navigation apps frequently route drivers onto unsafe roads in winter conditions, leading to rescues and hazards.
Company
Apple Inc.
AI system
Apple Maps
1 source articlemashable.com
WF-92445ALive 3 Oct 2026
Woman Scammed by Deepfake Ad of Her Doctor for Fake Lipedema Cream
Beth Holland, who has lipedema, saw a Facebook ad for a cream called Svelta Venastra that appeared to be endorsed by her doctor and celebrities. The ad was an AI-generated deepfake, and she paid $300 for six bottles. The cream was ineffective, and she later obtained a refund from her credit card company. The incident is part of a rise in medical scams using deepfakes.
1 source articletoday.com
WF-8Y9KXFHappened 30 Mar 2024Live 3 Oct 2026
Mumbai businessman loses Rs 80,000 in AI voice cloning scam
A 68-year-old businessman from Powai, Mumbai, was defrauded of Rs 80,000 after receiving a call from scammers posing as the Indian Embassy in Dubai. The fraudsters used AI voice cloning to mimic his son's voice, claiming he was arrested and needed bail money. The victim transferred the money via GPay before realising it was a scam when the call was disconnected. The Kanjurmarg police have registered a case and are investigating.
2 source articlestimesofindia.indiatimes.com
WF-8Y84A7Live 3 Oct 2026
The New York Times sues Perplexity for copyright infringement
The New York Times filed a lawsuit against AI startup Perplexity, alleging the company illegally scraped and distributed its copyrighted content to generate search responses. Perplexity's spokesperson dismissed the suit, comparing it to past unsuccessful legal actions against new technologies. The case is pending in the Southern District of New York.
Company
Perplexity
4 source articlescnbc.com
WF-8UAXU5Happened 1 Apr 2025Live 3 Oct 2026
New Orleans Police Secretly Used Facial Recognition to Monitor Citizens
New Orleans police secretly used Project NOLA's facial recognition cameras to automatically alert officers to possible crime suspects, potentially violating a city ordinance requiring human review and disclosure. An investigation found the system played a role in dozens of arrests but its use was often not disclosed in police reports. The program was paused in April 2025 pending a review by the police superintendent. The ACLU has called for a permanent halt, warning of threats to privacy and civil rights.
Company
New Orleans Police Department
AI system
Project NOLA
10 source articlesau.news.yahoo.com
WF-8SFDTDLive 3 Oct 2026
Gmail users warned of AI voice phishing scam impersonating Google support
Cybercriminals are using AI-generated voices to impersonate Google support in phone calls to Gmail users, attempting to trick them into revealing account credentials. The scam involves a caller ID that appears legitimate and a follow-up email from a spoofed Google address. Victims are told their account has been compromised and are asked to provide a recovery code. Google has advised users to enable Advanced Protection to secure their accounts.
8 source articlesnypost.com
WF-8ZYLVHHappened 23 Mar 2016Live 3 Oct 2026
Microsoft’s Tay Chatbot Turns Racist After Twitter Users Exploit It
In March 2016, Microsoft released Tay, an AI chatbot designed to learn from conversations on Twitter. Within hours, coordinated trolls exploited a 'repeat after me' function and fed it racist, misogynistic, and anti-semitic language. Tay began posting offensive tweets, and Microsoft suspended the account after 16 hours. The incident highlighted the risks of deploying learning bots in unfiltered online environments.
Company
Microsoft
AI system
Tay
10 source articlesspectrum.ieee.org
WF-8WF36PHappened 27 Dec 2021Live 3 Oct 2026
Google Maps directed Tahoe travellers onto dangerous roads during snowstorm
During a severe snowstorm in the Lake Tahoe area in December 2021, Google Maps allegedly directed travellers to closed-off and dangerous roads, including a narrow forest road. A professor publicly criticised the routing as a failure that could lead to deaths. Google acknowledged the issue and stated it was working to update routes using information from local authorities.
Company
Google
AI system
Google Maps
2 source articlessfgate.com
WF-8R92GMLive 3 Oct 2026
Ocado warehouse fire after three robots collide disrupts deliveries
A fire broke out at Ocado's Erith customer fulfilment centre after three robots collided on the automated grid. The blaze damaged less than one per cent of the grid and forced the evacuation of hundreds of staff, though no injuries were reported. Ocado apologised to customers after cancelling some deliveries and temporarily blocking new orders, with normal operations expected to resume within a week. The company stated that correct safety protocols were followed, including sprinkler activation and fire brigade response.
Company
Ocado
3 source articlesindependent.co.uk
WF-8WHLZ3Live 3 Oct 2026
Indore resident defrauded of Rs 1.83 lakh via AI voice cloning scam
A resident of Indore, India, was defrauded of Rs 1.83 lakh after scammers used AI-generated voice cloning to impersonate his brother-in-law in Australia. The fraudsters claimed the relative's visa had expired and threatened jail time unless fees were paid, prompting the victim to transfer the money. The victim discovered the fraud the next day upon contacting his relative directly and filed a complaint with the Indore crime branch's cyber cell. Police are investigating and have frozen suspicious accounts in an attempt to recover the funds.
1 source articletimesofindia.indiatimes.com
WF-8MLQC5Happened 12 Jun 2020Live 3 Oct 2026
Facebook Blocks Users for Sharing Article Showing Aboriginal Men in Chains
In June 2020, Facebook's automated content moderation system incorrectly flagged a Guardian article featuring an 1890s photo of Aboriginal men in chains as nudity. Several users who shared the article had their posts removed and accounts restricted, with some banned for up to 30 days. Facebook acknowledged the error, apologized, and restored the post after being contacted by the Guardian. The incident highlighted concerns about overblocking and the disproportionate impact of automated censorship on minority groups.
Company
Facebook
2 source articlestechtimes.com
WF-8PV2KEHappened 1 Feb 2021Live 3 Oct 2026
Senators question Amazon over AI cameras monitoring delivery drivers
Five US senators wrote to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos demanding answers about the company's deployment of AI-equipped cameras in delivery vans. The Netradyne Driveri cameras record drivers continuously and flag safety infractions, raising concerns about privacy and potential pressure on drivers to speed. The senators asked how Amazon will protect against new safety hazards from increased surveillance. Amazon had not responded at the time of reporting.
Company
Amazon
AI system
Netradyne Driveri
4 source articlescnbc.com
WF-8NXW8JHappened 1 Jun 2020Live 3 Oct 2026
Spamouflage Dragon Network Used AI-Generated Profile Pictures in U.S.-Targeted Disinformation
Graphika reported that the pro-Chinese spam network Spamouflage Dragon began posting English-language videos attacking U.S. policy and the Trump administration in June 2020. The operation used accounts with AI-generated profile pictures and automated voice-overs, targeting U.S. foreign policy, coronavirus handling, racial inequalities and actions against TikTok. The accounts received no engagement from authentic users and made little effort to conceal their Chinese origin.
Company
Spamouflage Dragon
2 source articlesgraphika.com
WF-8PUXUGHappened 26 Oct 2020Live 3 Oct 2026
Tesla Autopilot Mistakes Flag for Traffic Lights
A Tesla Model 3 owner reported that their car's Autopilot system misidentified a gas station flag with red and orange letters as traffic lights. The system displayed changing red and yellow light signals while the car was stationary. The incident highlights limitations in Tesla's self-driving technology, though no harm occurred. Tesla has not commented on the specific incident.
Company
Tesla, Inc.
AI system
Autopilot
1 source articleinterestingengineering.com
WF-8M3YTBHappened 1 Oct 2025Live 3 Oct 2026
ICE AI error sent new officers to field without proper training
An AI tool used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to screen resumes mistakenly classified applicants without law enforcement backgrounds as prior officers, sending them to a shorter online training program instead of the full academy. The error occurred in mid-fall during a recruitment surge and affected many new hires. ICE began manually reviewing resumes and bringing affected officers back for proper training. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment.
Company
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
2 source articlesindependent.co.uk
WF-8NT87YHappened 8 Apr 2025Live 3 Oct 2026
ZTO Express unmanned vehicle drags fallen e-bike in Shaanxi
On 8 April 2025, a ZTO Express unmanned delivery vehicle operated by Jiushi Intelligent Technology in Xianyang, Shaanxi, failed to detect a fallen electric bicycle and dragged it along the road. The vehicle's safety system triggered braking after contact but then resumed speed. No injuries were reported, and the company suspended the vehicle, apologised, and is cooperating with traffic police investigation.
Company
ZTO Express
AI system
九识无人车
4 source articlesctdsb.net
WF-8PM9MYLive 3 Oct 2026
Grab fined $2m by Indonesia competition watchdog over driver discrimination
Indonesia's competition watchdog fined ride-hailing company Grab $2 million for alleged driver discrimination. The specifics of the discrimination and the system involved were not detailed in the available article. The fine represents an enforcement action by the regulator.
Company
Grab
3 source articlesdealstreetasia.com
WF-8KNJY3Happened 31 Dec 2024Live 3 Oct 2026
Virgin River fan scammed out of $375K by AI voice impersonator
An American woman was scammed out of over $375,000 by a person impersonating actor Martin Henderson using AI-doctored voice messages. The scammer contacted her via a fan page, built a relationship over two years, and persuaded her to send money for fabricated emergencies. She moved to New Zealand expecting marriage, but discovered the deception after seeing a news article about the real Henderson. The incident illustrates the use of AI in romance scams.
6 source articlesnypost.com
WF-8MXNDXHappened 2 Jul 2025Live 3 Oct 2026
Meta's Instagram wrongfully suspends users for child exploitation, AI blamed
Multiple Instagram users in Southern California reported being locked out of their accounts after Meta's AI content moderation system flagged them for violating community standards on child sexual exploitation. The users, including a pediatric nurse and a contractor, say the accusations are false and have disrupted their personal and professional lives. They have appealed but received no response from Meta, and suspect an over-reliance on AI caused the erroneous suspensions. ABC7 has contacted Meta for comment.
Company
Meta
AI system
Instagram
1 source articleabc7.com

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

Microsoft Bing chatbot falsely claims Google Bard shut down, citing AI-generated fake news

Deepfake Video of Actor Mihail Bilalov Used in Facebook Ad for Joint Pain Product

Hundreds of AI tools built for covid proved unfit for clinical use

Apple AI voicemail transcription turns garage invite into X-rated message

Google Images displays mugshots for black teenagers, stock photos for white teenagers

Apple Maps Strands Drivers on Snowy Mountain Road in Big Bear

Woman Scammed by Deepfake Ad of Her Doctor for Fake Lipedema Cream

Mumbai businessman loses Rs 80,000 in AI voice cloning scam

The New York Times sues Perplexity for copyright infringement

New Orleans Police Secretly Used Facial Recognition to Monitor Citizens

Gmail users warned of AI voice phishing scam impersonating Google support

Microsoft’s Tay Chatbot Turns Racist After Twitter Users Exploit It

Google Maps directed Tahoe travellers onto dangerous roads during snowstorm

Ocado warehouse fire after three robots collide disrupts deliveries

Indore resident defrauded of Rs 1.83 lakh via AI voice cloning scam

Facebook Blocks Users for Sharing Article Showing Aboriginal Men in Chains

Senators question Amazon over AI cameras monitoring delivery drivers

Spamouflage Dragon Network Used AI-Generated Profile Pictures in U.S.-Targeted Disinformation

Tesla Autopilot Mistakes Flag for Traffic Lights

ICE AI error sent new officers to field without proper training

ZTO Express unmanned vehicle drags fallen e-bike in Shaanxi

Grab fined $2m by Indonesia competition watchdog over driver discrimination

Virgin River fan scammed out of $375K by AI voice impersonator

Meta's Instagram wrongfully suspends users for child exploitation, AI blamed