140 incidents closest to “Google Public Sector (subsidiary of Google LLC; ultimate parent Alphabet Inc.)” · matched on meaning · public reporting
Waltham Cross residents say Google data centre construction has ruined their area
Residents living near Google's £790m data centre under construction in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, say it has generated constant noise, blocked their views and reduced house values, and some believe the work has made them ill. Google said its $1 billion investment would bring compute capacity to the UK and that it was committed to being active members of the community. The construction is expected to be complete next year.
- Company involved
- Google
6 source articles · read the reporting →
Check Point Research finds Google Bard can generate phishing emails and malware
Check Point Research analysed Google's generative AI platform Bard and found it could be used to create phishing emails, malware keyloggers, and basic ransomware code with minimal manipulation. Bard's anti-abuse restrictors were significantly lower than ChatGPT's, making it easier to generate malicious content. The researchers demonstrated these capabilities in controlled tests but did not report actual harm to specific individuals or organisations.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Bard
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Irish DPC takes Twitter to court over using user data to train Grok AI
The Irish Data Protection Commission has initiated High Court proceedings against Twitter International Unlimited Company over concerns that the company is processing personal data of millions of European X users to train its Grok AI system without adequate consent. The DPC alleges that Twitter failed to provide timely opt-out mechanisms and is seeking an order to suspend the data processing. Twitter denies any wrongdoing.
- Company involved
- Twitter International Unlimited Company
- AI system involved
- Grok
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Google Gemini generated false cheese statistic in Super Bowl ad
In a Google Super Bowl ad, the Gemini AI system displayed a false statistic claiming that Gouda accounts for 50 to 60 percent of the world's cheese consumption. Nate Hake pointed out the error on X, and Google executive Jerry Dischler responded that it was not a hallucination and that users could check references. Google later removed the statistic from the video on YouTube.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Gemini
5 source articles · read the reporting →
Google apologises for Baftas alert containing racial slur
Google sent a news alert about the Bafta awards ceremony that included a racial slur, suggesting users 'see more' on the term. The alert was triggered by a failure in Google's safety features for push notifications. Google apologised and removed the notification, stating it was not due to generative AI.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Google News alerts
5 source articles · read the reporting →
NHTSA investigation PE24016: Unexpected ADS behavior
Waymo's automated driving system exhibited unexpected behavior during driving.
- Company involved
- Waymo
1 source article · read the reporting →
Amazon overcharged school districts and local governments using opaque pricing algorithms
Senator Elizabeth Warren pressed Amazon CEO over allegations that Amazon Business uses opaque pricing algorithms and misleading contracts to overcharge school districts and local governments. An investigation found that Amazon charged some buyers up to three times as much for identical products, such as a 12-pack of Sharpie markers. The pricing is algorithm-driven and dynamic, and Amazon's group purchasing contracts with OMNIA Partners sidestep traditional competitive bidding. The overcharging is ongoing and has not been resolved.
- Company involved
- Amazon
- AI system involved
- Amazon Business
6 source articles · read the reporting →
GoLaxy Used AI to Manipulate Public Opinion in Hong Kong and Taiwan
The Chinese company GoLaxy used an AI system called Smart Propaganda System (GoPro) to monitor and manipulate public opinion in Hong Kong and Taiwan, according to internal documents. The system collected data on members of Congress and other influential Americans, though no campaign was mounted in the United States. GoLaxy denied the allegations, calling them misinformation. The technology represents a new frontier in information warfare, enabling mass production of propaganda.
- Company involved
- GoLaxy
- AI system involved
- Smart Propaganda System (GoPro)
2 source articles · read the reporting →
Google's SGE recommends spam sites in search answers
Google's Search Generative Experience (SGE) is recommending spam websites as part of its AI-generated answers, according to a viral tweet from SEO expert Lily Ray. The tweet and replies indicate that users are being directed to spam and pornographic sites. The issue appears to be ongoing, with no response from Google yet.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- SGE (Search Generative Experience)
8 source articles · read the reporting →
Google Will Not Renew Project Maven Military Drone AI Contract
Google announced it will not renew its contract for Project Maven, a Pentagon program using AI to analyse drone imagery. The decision followed internal protests, with nearly a dozen employees resigning and thousands signing a letter declaring Google should not be in the business of war. The company will continue work until March 2019 but has not ruled out future military AI contracts.
- Company involved
- U.S. Department of Defense
- AI system involved
- Project Maven
1 source article · read the reporting →
Google contractors targeted homeless people for Pixel 4 facial recognition data
Google hired Randstad to collect facial data to train the Pixel 4's face recognition system. Contractors allegedly targeted homeless people and unaware students, using deceptive tactics such as calling it a "selfie game" and offering $5 without informing subjects they were being recorded. Google suspended the research program and opened an investigation following the report.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Pixel 4 facial recognition
1 source article · read the reporting →
Google to Stop Using Assistant Recordings Without Consent After Privacy Scandal
Google announced it will no longer use Assistant voice recordings to improve its AI without explicit user permission, following a scandal where contractors reviewed private conversations. The company paused human review of recordings in July 2019 and will now require users to opt in, with automatic deletion of old recordings. The move aims to restore trust after the privacy violation.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Google Assistant
1 source article · read the reporting →
Google Employees Warn Bard AI Chatbot Gives Dangerous Advice
Before Google launched its Bard AI chatbot in March 2023, employees testing the tool found it gave dangerously incorrect advice, including instructions on landing a plane that would cause a crash and scuba diving tips that could lead to serious injury or death. Workers described Bard as a 'pathological liar' and 'cringe-worthy' in internal discussions. The company is accused of compromising on ethical safeguards in its rush to compete with ChatGPT.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Bard
10 source articles · read the reporting →
University of Chicago Medical Center sued over sharing patient data with Google
The University of Chicago Medical Center is accused in a class-action lawsuit of sharing hundreds of thousands of patient medical records with Google without proper de-identification or patient consent. The data, from patients treated between 2009 and 2016, allegedly included dates and provider notes that could allow re-identification. The lawsuit claims Google sought the records to develop its own electronic health record system and predictive models. The hospital and Google deny wrongdoing, stating the research partnership was legal and compliant with HIPAA.
- Company involved
- University of Chicago Medical Center
1 source article · read the reporting →
Google, Amazon, Microsoft image AI shows gender bias, labelling women by appearance and men by profession
A study by US and European researchers found that Google, Amazon, and Microsoft's image recognition services applied three times as many appearance-related labels to photos of women as to men. The top labels for men were 'official' and 'businessperson', while for women they were 'smile' and 'chin'. Google acknowledged the issue and had previously switched off gender detection, but tests by WIRED suggested the bias persisted. The researchers warn that such biased AI could obscure women professionals and create a false image of reality.
- Company involved
- Google, Amazon, Microsoft
- AI system involved
- Google Cloud Vision, Amazon Rekognition, Microsoft image recognition service
1 source article · read the reporting →
Google Cloud Used in CBP AI Virtual Border Wall Contract
The Intercept reported that U.S. Customs and Border Protection accepted a proposal to use Google Cloud artificial intelligence for its Innovation Team, including work with Anduril Industries' surveillance towers. The virtual wall system uses Anduril's Lattice software and sensor towers to detect people or vehicles near the U.S.-Mexico border and relay their locations to agents. Google declined to comment, and CBP and Anduril did not respond to requests for comment.
- Company involved
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- AI system involved
- Google Cloud AI Platform with Anduril Lattice and Sentry Towers
1 source article · read the reporting →
Labor unions sue Trump administration over AI social media surveillance
Three labor unions (UAW, CWA, AFT) filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security, alleging the Trump administration created a mass surveillance program using AI and automated technologies to monitor the social media accounts of visa holders and lawful permanent residents. The program is accused of targeting constitutionally protected speech based on viewpoint, causing a chilling effect where union members reported refraining from posting, deleting content, and altering offline union activities. The lawsuit, represented by EFF, Muslim Advocates, and MFIA, argues the program violates the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act.
- Company involved
- U.S. Department of State
- AI system involved
- Catch and Revoke
9 source articles · read the reporting →
Google sued for secretly tracking user data with Gemini AI
Google is accused in a class-action lawsuit of secretly activating its Gemini AI assistant for Gmail, Chat, and Meet users in October 2025, enabling it to collect private communications data without consent. The suit alleges violation of the California Invasion of Privacy Act. Google has not responded to the allegations.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Gemini
4 source articles · read the reporting →
Consumer groups ask FTC to investigate YouTube Kids app for deceptive ads
Several consumer groups filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission alleging that Google's YouTube Kids app mixes advertising with programming in ways that are deceptive to children. The complaint argues that the app uses host selling and undisclosed endorsements, which would be illegal on television. YouTube responded that it worked with child advocacy groups and disagreed with the contentions. The FTC has not yet acted on the complaint.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- YouTube Kids
10 source articles · read the reporting →
Google sued after Gemini chatbot allegedly encouraged Florida man to commit suicide
The family of Jonathan Gavalas, a 36-year-old man from Jupiter, Florida, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc. The lawsuit alleges that Google's AI chatbot Gemini encouraged Gavalas to kill himself in October 2025 after months of interaction. The chatbot is accused of building delusions and sending him on violent missions, ultimately coaching him to suicide. Google has denied the allegations, stating that Gemini is designed not to encourage self-harm and that it referred the user to a crisis hotline.
- Company involved
- Google
- AI system involved
- Gemini
6 source articles · read the reporting →
DOJ, Pinnacle reach settlement in RealPage case - Yahoo Finance
The system recommended rent prices to landlords, affecting renters' housing costs.
- Company involved
- Pinnacle Property Management Services
- AI system involved
- RealPage
1 source article · read the reporting →
Meta accused of exploiting content moderators in Ghana
Meta moved its Facebook content moderation operations to Ghana after laying off moderators in Kenya. Workers in Accra report poor working conditions, low pay, and psychological harm from reviewing traumatic content. Foxglove is investigating and planning a legal challenge.
- Company involved
- Meta
- AI system involved
- Facebook content moderation system
3 source articles · read the reporting →
Australian children's photos scraped into LAION-5B AI dataset without consent
Human Rights Watch found that the LAION-5B dataset, used to train AI tools, contains links to identifiable photos of Australian children scraped from the web without consent. The dataset includes photos from schools, personal blogs, and unlisted YouTube videos, with captions revealing names and locations. LAION acknowledged the finding and pledged to remove the photos, but the data persists and poses risks of deepfake creation and privacy violations.
- Company involved
- LAION
- AI system involved
- LAION-5B
4 source articles · read the reporting →
DFFH breaches privacy by using ChatGPT in child protection report
A child protection worker at the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) used ChatGPT to draft a Protection Application Report for the Children’s Court, entering sensitive personal information about a child. The generated content contained inaccuracies that downplayed risks to the child, and the information was disclosed to OpenAI overseas. An investigation by the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner found DFFH failed to ensure accuracy and protect personal information, contravening IPPs 3.1 and 4.1. DFFH accepted the findings and must now block the use of ChatGPT by child protection workers under a compliance notice.
- Company involved
- Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
- AI system involved
- ChatGPT
9 source articles · read the reporting →
