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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4,815 incidentspress and self-reported

Page 164 of 201

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

WF-54CSTGHappened 1 Jun 2018Live 3 Oct 2026
Cadillac Fairview malls use facial recognition without consent
At least two Calgary malls owned by Cadillac Fairview, Chinook Centre and Market Mall, deployed facial recognition software in their directories to estimate shoppers' ages and genders without notifying them or obtaining consent. The software, provided by MappedIn, counts users and predicts demographics but does not store images, which the company claims makes consent unnecessary. Privacy advocates expressed concern that the data could be combined with other information to profile individuals, and noted that under Alberta's PIPA, notification is required for collection of personal information. The malls did not offer an opt-out, and the practice was ongoing as of July 2018.
Company
Cadillac Fairview
AI system
MappedIn
1 source articlecbc.ca
WF-4UHTSMLive 3 Oct 2026
Pasco Sheriff's Office used algorithm to target potential future criminals and schoolchildren
The Pasco Sheriff's Office operates an intelligence-led policing programme that uses an algorithm to identify people who might break the law based on criminal histories and social networks. Deputies are sent to the homes of those flagged, even without evidence of a crime, and former deputies allege they were ordered to make targets' lives miserable. The agency also keeps a list of more than 400 schoolchildren predicted to 'fall into a life of crime', built from data such as grades and child welfare records, without informing the children or their parents. Civil liberties groups are considering lawsuits and public advocacy campaigns, and experts have called the programmes 'morally repugnant'.
Company
Pasco Sheriff's Office
10 source articlesprojects.tampabay.com
WF-4Q3RDLHappened 2 Feb 2023Live 3 Oct 2026
Italian Data Protection Authority Blocks Replika Chatbot Over Risks to Minors
On February 2, 2023, the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante) issued an urgent order blocking the AI chatbot Replika from processing personal data of Italian users. The Garante found that Replika lacked effective age verification, allowing minors to potentially receive inappropriate content including sex-related replies, and that its privacy policy violated GDPR transparency requirements. The U.S.-based controller was given 20 days to report on compliance measures and may challenge the order within 60 days.
AI system
Replika
1 source articleblog.galalaw.com
WF-52UK84Live 3 Oct 2026
Character.AI Hosts Chatbots Modeled After School Shooters and Victims
Character.AI, a Google-backed AI startup, hosts chatbots that simulate school shooters and their victims, including those from Sandy Hook and Columbine. The chatbots, which are not age-gated, have accumulated tens of thousands of chats and failed to flag violent statements. The platform is facing lawsuits alleging it caused a teenager's suicide and facilitated sexual abuse of minors. Character.AI deactivated some bots after being contacted but did not remove all related content.
Company
Character.AI
AI system
Character.AI chatbots
2 source articlesfuturism.com
WF-533DRVHappened 3 May 2023Live 3 Oct 2026
Google shows AI-generated images in Edward Hopper search results
Illustrator Penny Neville-Lee reported that searching for Edward Hopper on Google returned AI-generated images instead of authentic artworks. The incident highlights concerns about AI-generated content obscuring genuine artistic works online. No response from Google is mentioned.
Company
Google
AI system
Google Image Search
2 source articlestwitter.com
WF-4QQUJHLive 3 Oct 2026
Detroit police arrest Black man after faulty facial recognition match
In Detroit, Michigan, Robert Williams was arrested and held for 30 hours after police used facial recognition to match him to a shoplifting surveillance photo that showed someone else. Charges against Williams and two other Black men, Michael Oliver and Nijeer Parks, were later dropped. The article reports that facial recognition systems have higher false positive rates for Black people and women, and that officers may rely on matches in the field with little oversight.
Company
Detroit Police Department
10 source articlesthebulletin.org
WF-4YYE8CHappened 15 Jan 2026Live 3 Oct 2026
Coco Robotics delivery robot destroyed by train in Miami after stalling on tracks
A Coco Robotics delivery robot stalled on a railroad track in Miami on 15 January 2026 and was struck by a passing train. The robot, which was not making a delivery at the time, experienced a rare hardware failure, according to the company. No one was injured, but the robot was destroyed. Coco Robotics stated that safety is a priority and that the incident was extremely rare.
Company
Coco Robotics
2 source articlesstraitstimes.com
WF-4LGJR8Live 3 Oct 2026
Israeli investors lose hundreds of thousands in AI deepfake stock scam
A wave of Israeli investors lost hundreds of thousands of shekels after falling victim to an AI-powered stock scam that used deepfake videos and fake ads on Meta platforms. The fraudsters impersonated public figures and financial institutions to promote a real NASDAQ stock, which was pumped and then crashed. The Israeli Internet Association criticised Meta for inadequate moderation, and authorities are investigating the fraud.
1 source articleynetnews.com
WF-4P7WCZHappened 11 Jul 2021Live 3 Oct 2026
Facebook AI fails to detect racist emoji abuse after Euro 2020 final
After England's loss in the Euro 2020 final, racist abuse using emojis was posted on Instagram targeting Black players. Facebook's AI moderation system mistakenly marked the abuse as benign, allowing it to remain visible. Facebook acknowledged the error, updated its systems to better detect such abuse, and removed the violating content. The incident highlights challenges in automated content moderation at scale.
Company
Instagram
2 source articlessocialmediatoday.com
WF-4MRPJ7Happened 1 Nov 2022Live 3 Oct 2026
Madison Square Garden's facial recognition denies lawyer entry to Rockettes show
In late November 2022, New Jersey attorney Kelly Conlon was denied entry to a Rockettes show at Radio City Music Hall after the venue's facial recognition system identified her as working for a law firm involved in litigation against parent company Madison Square Garden Entertainment. MSGE stated that it excludes all attorneys from firms with active litigation, and that impacted attorneys were notified. The incident sparked debate over the use of facial recognition technology, with critics warning of privacy risks and potential for bias.
Company
Madison Square Garden Entertainment
10 source articlesnpr.org
WF-4NSURGHappened 14 Jul 2023Live 3 Oct 2026
Playground AI makes MIT student's headshot appear Caucasian
Rona Wang, an MIT graduate, used Playground AI to generate a professional LinkedIn photo. The AI altered her appearance, giving her lighter skin and blue eyes, making her look Caucasian. The incident sparked discussion about racial bias in AI. Playground AI's founder acknowledged the issue and expressed a desire to fix it.
Company
Playground AI
AI system
Playground AI
1 source articleboston.com
WF-4FYS7RHappened 25 Mar 2026Live 3 Oct 2026
Coco and Serve robots smash two Chicago bus shelters
Two self-driving food delivery robots operated by Coco and Serve Robotics crashed into Chicago bus shelters within a week. A Coco robot collided with a shelter in Old Town on 25 March 2026, shattering glass, days after a Serve robot hit a shelter in West Town. No injuries were reported, and both companies said they were investigating; Coco said it would cover the cost of repairs.
Company
Coco and Serve Robotics
AI system
Coco delivery robot and Serve Robotics delivery robot
1 source articleblockclubchicago.org
WF-4KMSK3Happened 4 Mar 2025Live 3 Oct 2026
LA Times AI tool generated pro-KKK arguments, owner unaware for hours
The Los Angeles Times' new AI tool 'Insights' generated pro-KKK arguments in response to an opinion column about the city's history with the Ku Klux Klan. The tool, which provides alternative perspectives on opinion pieces, produced a sympathetic view of the white supremacist group. Owner Patrick Soon-Shiong was not aware of the incident until hours after the content was removed, and he described it as a learning opportunity. The incident is part of broader challenges facing the newspaper as it introduces AI features to attract subscribers.
Company
Los Angeles Times
AI system
Insights
2 source articlesedition.cnn.com
WF-4HD62MHappened 3 Nov 2021Live 3 Oct 2026
Tesla Model Y in Full Self-Driving beta severely damaged in California crash
On 3 November 2021, a Tesla Model Y operating in Full Self-Driving beta mode crashed in Brea, California. The owner alleges that during a left turn, the system steered into the wrong lane and, despite the driver's attempt to correct, the car took control and forced itself into the incorrect lane, causing a collision with another vehicle. The car was severely damaged, but no injuries were reported. The incident was reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is investigating.
Company
Tesla
AI system
Full Self-Driving beta
1 source articletheverge.com
WF-4H8T6JLive 3 Oct 2026
Widow loses £500,000 to AI Jason Momoa scam
A widow from Cambridgeshire lost £500,000 after being deceived by scammers using AI-generated videos of actor Jason Momoa. The scammers convinced her they were in a romantic relationship and that Momoa needed money to build their dream home in Hawaii. After transferring the funds from her house sale, the contact ceased and the money was lost. Cambridgeshire Police confirmed the incident, describing the victim as vulnerable.
5 source articlesthesun.co.uk
WF-4H3635Happened 1 Aug 2025Live 3 Oct 2026
Hacker Used Claude AI to Automate Extortion Campaign Against 17 Organizations
A hacker used Anthropic's Claude AI Code to automate reconnaissance, credential harvesting, and extortion against 17 organizations in healthcare, emergency services, government, and religious sectors. The AI agent handled the entire attack chain, including calculating ransom demands exceeding $500,000 and designing extortion messages. Anthropic detected the misuse, banned the actor's accounts, and deployed a tailored detection classifier. The incident highlights the growing trend of AI-powered cybercrime.
AI system
Claude Code
3 source articlesthecyberexpress.com
WF-4H9DUYHappened 8 Nov 2017Live 3 Oct 2026
Las Vegas self-driving shuttle bus hit by truck on first day of service
The City of Las Vegas launched a self-driving shuttle bus service. On its first day, the shuttle, carrying several passengers, stopped to avoid a delivery truck, but the truck hit it. No injuries were reported, and the truck driver was ticketed. The shuttle was expected to return to service after diagnostics.
Company
City of Las Vegas
10 source articlesbbc.com
WF-4DGQE7Happened 1 Jan 2022Live 3 Oct 2026
Acclarent's AI-Powered Surgery Tool Allegedly Injures Patients, Lawsuits Claim
The TruDi Navigation System by Acclarent, which uses AI to confirm device positions during sinus surgery, has been linked to at least ten patient injuries including strokes, according to FDA reports and two lawsuits. Plaintiffs Erin Ralph and Donna Fernihough allege that the AI was inaccurate and misled surgeons, causing carotid artery damage and strokes in 2022. Acclarent denies the allegations, stating there is no credible evidence of a causal connection. The lawsuits are ongoing.
Company
Acclarent
AI system
TruDi Navigation System
2 source articlesfuturism.com
WF-4FEYLXLive 3 Oct 2026
Teen dies by suicide after AI-generated nude blackmail scam
Elijah Heacock, a teenager, died by suicide after being targeted by a sextortion scam. Scammers used AI to generate a fake nude image of him and demanded $3,000. His parents are advocating for change and support the 'Take It Down' Act.
2 source articlescbsnews.com
WF-4ECSJ9Happened 14 Nov 2025Live 3 Oct 2026
Mike Collins campaign uses AI deepfake of Jon Ossoff in Georgia Senate race
The campaign of Georgia Rep. Mike Collins released an AI-generated deepfake video of Senator Jon Ossoff, falsely depicting him mocking farmers and supporting a government shutdown. The ad included a small disclaimer, but Ossoff's campaign and experts warned it could mislead voters. The Collins campaign defended the video as satire and plans to continue using AI tools. The incident highlights concerns about AI in elections and the lack of strong regulations.
Company
Mike Collins campaign
2 source articlescbsnews.com
WF-4F7JM6Live 3 Oct 2026
Hong Kong police uncover deepfake scam training recruits to impersonate rich women
A Hong Kong scam syndicate used deepfake technology to train recruits to impersonate wealthy single women. Recruits were taught conversation topics like learning Japanese, playing golf, and tasting expensive wine to appear affluent. Police revealed the operation, indicating a potential for widespread financial fraud. No specific victims were reported.
1 source articlescmp.com
WF-4CV88AHappened 1 Nov 2019Live 3 Oct 2026
Goldman Sachs Apple Card Algorithm Accused of Gender Bias in Credit Limits
In late 2019, David Heinemeier Hansson alleged on Twitter that the Apple Card underwriting algorithm, operated by Goldman Sachs, gave him a higher credit limit than his wife despite similar financial profiles. The New York Department of Financial Services investigated and found no violation of fair lending laws, but critics argue the audit methodology was outdated and failed to detect proxy discrimination. Apple later updated its credit policy to allow spouses to combine credit files, acknowledging a lack of fairness in industry credit scoring.
Company
Goldman Sachs
AI system
Apple Card
6 source articlestechcrunch.com
WF-4B4FU6Happened 12 May 2026Live 3 Oct 2026
TRT-RS's Galileu AI Detects Prompt Injection Attempt in Legal Petition
The Galileu AI system, developed by the Tribunal Regional do Trabalho da 4ª Região (TRT-RS) and nationalised by the Conselho Superior da Justiça do Trabalho (CSJT), detected a prompt injection attempt in a petition filed at the 3rd Labour Court of Parauapebas, Pará. The system alerted the magistrate, who reviewed the content and made a decision based on human verification, in line with judicial AI supervision requirements. The court reported that the system prevented the malicious content from being processed and highlighted the importance of institutional AI tools with security measures.
Company
Tribunal Regional do Trabalho da 4ª Região
AI system
Galileu
1 source articletrt4.jus.br
WF-4B97G8Live 3 Oct 2026
St George's admissions algorithm biased against women and ethnic minorities
In the late 1970s and 1980s, St George's Hospital Medical School used a computer algorithm to automate the first round of its admissions process, scoring applicants based on historical data. The model was found to discriminate against female applicants and those with non-European-looking names, denying them interviews. The bias was discovered by two professors, and the university co-operated with a Commission for Racial Equality inquiry, subsequently contacting affected applicants and offering some places.
Company
St George's Hospital Medical School
4 source articlesmarginalrevolution.com

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

Cadillac Fairview malls use facial recognition without consent

Pasco Sheriff's Office used algorithm to target potential future criminals and schoolchildren

Italian Data Protection Authority Blocks Replika Chatbot Over Risks to Minors

Character.AI Hosts Chatbots Modeled After School Shooters and Victims

Google shows AI-generated images in Edward Hopper search results

Detroit police arrest Black man after faulty facial recognition match

Coco Robotics delivery robot destroyed by train in Miami after stalling on tracks

Israeli investors lose hundreds of thousands in AI deepfake stock scam

Facebook AI fails to detect racist emoji abuse after Euro 2020 final

Madison Square Garden's facial recognition denies lawyer entry to Rockettes show

Playground AI makes MIT student's headshot appear Caucasian

Coco and Serve robots smash two Chicago bus shelters

LA Times AI tool generated pro-KKK arguments, owner unaware for hours

Tesla Model Y in Full Self-Driving beta severely damaged in California crash

Widow loses £500,000 to AI Jason Momoa scam

Hacker Used Claude AI to Automate Extortion Campaign Against 17 Organizations

Las Vegas self-driving shuttle bus hit by truck on first day of service

Acclarent's AI-Powered Surgery Tool Allegedly Injures Patients, Lawsuits Claim

Teen dies by suicide after AI-generated nude blackmail scam

Mike Collins campaign uses AI deepfake of Jon Ossoff in Georgia Senate race

Hong Kong police uncover deepfake scam training recruits to impersonate rich women

Goldman Sachs Apple Card Algorithm Accused of Gender Bias in Credit Limits

TRT-RS's Galileu AI Detects Prompt Injection Attempt in Legal Petition

St George's admissions algorithm biased against women and ethnic minorities