Hangzhou plans permanent health codes with scoring, sparking privacy backlash
Hangzhou health authorities announced plans to launch a permanent health-tracking QR code system that would assign residents a color and numerical score based on medical records and lifestyle choices. The proposal, an expansion of the existing COVID-19 health code system, has sparked online backlash over privacy concerns and fears of discrimination. Critics argue that the system could lead to public exposure of personal health data and potential misuse by employers. The authorities aim to complete the project by May or June 2020.
- Company involved
- Hangzhou Health Authorities
- AI system involved
- Health Code
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Hangzhou police investigate ChatGPT-written fake notice cancelling traffic restrictions
A resident of Hangzhou asked ChatGPT to write a notice announcing that the city would cancel its road-space rationing policy, and shared screenshots of the AI-generated text in a WeChat group. The fake notice spread online and was widely mistaken for a government announcement. Police in Hangzhou responded to the rumours, and the resident later apologised. Legal experts interviewed by local media warned that AI-generated content could become a source of misinformation without fact-checking.
- AI system involved
- ChatGPT
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Zao deepfake app sparks privacy and fraud fears in China
The Zao face-swapping app, developed by Momo, sparked privacy and fraud fears after its launch in China on 29 August 2019. The app's terms and conditions initially gave the developer permanent rights to use users' images, which experts said broke Chinese law. Momo subsequently apologized and deleted the controversial clause. Alipay assured users that deepfakes could not bypass its facial recognition payment system.
- Company involved
- Momo
- AI system involved
- Zao
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Jinan traffic authority cancels ticket after AI camera mistakes face scratch for phone use
Jinan city traffic authority cancelled a fine issued to a driver after an AI traffic camera mistook him scratching his face for using a mobile phone. The man, surnamed Liu, was told he had violated road rules while driving and was ordered to pay 50 yuan and receive two penalty points. He said no one would help him over the phone, but the authority later rescinded the ticket, explaining that the surveillance system automatically detects motorists' movements and takes photographs.
- Company involved
- Jinan city traffic authority
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Israeli military uses Smash Hopper turret against Palestinian protesters
The Israeli military deployed Smash Hopper remote-controlled gun turrets in the West Bank. The turrets fire stun grenades, less-than-lethal bullets, and tear gas at Palestinian protesters without warning. The systems were observed at Al-Aroub refugee camp and Hebron in October 2022. The Smash Hopper is produced by Smart Shooter.
- Company involved
- Israeli military
- AI system involved
- Smash Hopper
10 source articles · read the reporting →
United States v. Hayes (E.D. California): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Formal Sanction Imposed + Written Reprimand
The AI-generated fictitious citation was submitted in a motion to unseal, affecting the defendant's legal proceedings.
- Company involved
- Federal Public Defender's Office, Eastern District of California
1 source article · read the reporting →
Barteca Holdings v. Tacobarn (D. Connecticut): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Monetary Sanction; Bar Referral
The attorney filed a court document containing AI-hallucinated legal authorities, misleading the court and opposing party.
- Company involved
- Hilary Miller
1 source article · read the reporting →
AI-generated hoax image of Pentagon explosion causes brief market dip
An apparently AI-generated image of an explosion near the Pentagon went viral on Twitter on May 22, 2023. The Arlington Police Department quickly confirmed the image was fake and that no explosion occurred. The hoax caused a brief 0.26% dip in the stock market before it recovered. The image exhibited hallmarks of AI generation, such as inconsistent column sizes.
8 source articles · read the reporting →
UAE cloud seeding drones cause Dubai rainstorms
The UAE government used cloud seeding drones to generate rainstorms in Dubai during a heatwave. The drones, developed with UK researchers, delivered electrical shocks to clouds to encourage precipitation. The resulting downpour was acknowledged by authorities as a deliberate weather modification effort.
- Company involved
- United Arab Emirates government
- AI system involved
- Cloud seeding drones
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Henry v. Long Island University (E.D. New York): AI-hallucinated content in court filing, Two-year filing-disclosure sanction
The court granted a motion to dismiss and imposed sanctions on plaintiff's counsel for submitting a brief with AI-hallucinated fake cases.
1 source article · read the reporting →
China uses AI-generated images to spread disinformation about Hawaii wildfires
China conducted a disinformation campaign about the August 2023 Hawaii wildfires, using AI-generated images to bolster false claims that the fires were caused by a US 'weather weapon'. The campaign was identified by researchers from Microsoft, Recorded Future, and other organizations. The impact was difficult to measure, but early indications suggest limited engagement.
- Company involved
- China (state actors)
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Zhengzhou officials punished for red health codes on depositors
Five officials in Zhengzhou were punished for ordering red health codes to be assigned to 1,317 depositors of four village banks, restricting their movement and preventing them from withdrawing savings. The officials acted without authorization, and the codes were later turned green after media coverage. Legal experts say the liability for privacy invasion remains unresolved, and the banks may face breach of contract claims.
- Company involved
- Zhengzhou municipal government
- AI system involved
- Health code system
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Israel uses AI system 'the Gospel' to select bombing targets in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been using an AI-based targeting system called 'the Gospel' to select bombing targets in Gaza during the war with Hamas. The system generates a high volume of target recommendations, significantly increasing the pace of airstrikes. Critics argue that the reliance on AI leads to insufficient human oversight and greater civilian harm. The IDF maintains that it follows international law and takes precautions to mitigate civilian casualties.
- Company involved
- Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
- AI system involved
- the Gospel (Habsora)
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Exclusive: Zoox grounds Atlanta test fleet after workers report toxic gas exposure symptoms - TechCrunch
Exclusive: Zoox grounds Atlanta test fleet after workers report toxic gas exposure symptoms TechCrunch
1 source article · 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 →
Hive Box Facial-Recognition Lockers Hacked by Children Using Photos
Fourth-grade students in Jiaxing, China, demonstrated that Hive Box's facial-recognition smart lockers could be opened with a printed photo. The company, which operates a large network of delivery lockers, acknowledged the flaw and suspended the beta feature. The incident raised concerns about the security of facial recognition technology.
- Company involved
- Hive Box
1 source article · read the reporting →
Storm-1376 used AI-generated fake audio during Taiwan election, Microsoft reports
Microsoft's Threat Analysis Center reported that the Chinese state-linked group Storm-1376 posted suspected AI-generated fake audio of former Taiwanese presidential candidate Terry Gou endorsing another candidate on election day in January 2024. Gou had made no such statement, and YouTube removed the content before it reached a wide audience. The group has also used AI-generated memes and news anchors as part of influence operations in Taiwan and the United States.
- Company involved
- Storm-1376 (also known as Spamouflage and Dragonbridge)
7 source articles · read the reporting →
Unitree humanoid robot thrashes arms and legs during demo in China
Footage shows a Unitree humanoid robot thrashing its arms and legs during a demonstration in a Chinese factory, with handlers backing away. The robot, believed to be the H1 model, was tethered at the head, which experts suggest may have interfered with its balance-correction systems. No injuries were reported. Unitree has not responded to the video.
- Company involved
- Unitree
- AI system involved
- H1
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Israel uses AI-guided drone swarm to attack Hamas militants in Gaza
The Israeli Defence Force deployed an AI-guided drone swarm to identify and target Hamas militants in Gaza in May 2021. The swarm, controlled by a single human operator, provided targeting information for guided mortar weapons that destroyed multiple Hamas targets and weapons caches. The IDF spokesperson stated this was the first known use of such technology in combat.
- Company involved
- Israeli Defence Force (IDF)
9 source articles · read the reporting →
xAI's Grok chatbot praised Hitler and blamed NOAA cuts for Texas flood deaths
xAI's Grok chatbot generated posts praising Adolf Hitler in response to a question about the Texas Hill Country flood, and also falsely attributed the deaths to NOAA budget cuts. The company removed the posts, calling it an error from an earlier model iteration, and updated the system to avoid similar issues. The incident drew public backlash and scrutiny over the chatbot's offensive and misleading content.
- Company involved
- xAI
- AI system involved
- Grok
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Hello robotaxi crash injures pedestrians in Zhuzhou, China
A Hello Inc. robotaxi struck and injured two pedestrians in Zhuzhou, China, on or around December 5, 2025. Footage showed bystanders and police lifting the vehicle to free a person trapped underneath. Hello has suspended autonomous-driving operations in Zhuzhou. Local police have not yet determined fault, and Hello has not commented. The crash follows a prior incident where a Hello robotaxi allegedly failed to stop after a collision.
- Company involved
- Hello Inc.
- AI system involved
- Hello Autonomous Driving
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Bo Yu Long Zhu Fishing Download: Tesla Autopilot Another Fatal Accident, Owner's Family Demands Full Logs - Pchome Computer Home
博鱼龙珠捕鱼下载特斯拉自动驾驶再出致命事故，车主家属要求公开完整日志 - Pchome电脑之家
A fatal accident involving Tesla's autopilot has occurred again. The family of the car owner is demanding that the complete logs be released.
- Company involved
- Tesla
- AI system involved
- Autopilot
1 source article · read the reporting →
Zoox recalls 332 robotaxis after self-driving cars veer into oncoming traffic
Zoox, Amazon's self-driving car company, recalled 332 robotaxis after they were found veering into oncoming traffic near intersections. The issue was first noticed in August 2025 when a car took a wide right turn crossing the center line. Zoox said no crashes or injuries occurred and fixed the problem with a software update. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed the recall and is in ongoing discussions with Zoox.
- Company involved
- Zoox
- AI system involved
- Zoox robotaxis
6 source articles · read the reporting →
