Gardai issue warning over social media AI prank wasting 'valuable garda resources'

"aware of a trending prank on social media in which a loved one is sent an AI-generated image of a home intruder"

"Already on a number of occasions this has resulted in the emergency deployment of gardaí to an ultimately hoax report of burglary, they said. This represents a waste of valuable garda resources and diverts from genuine emergency calls which require a response. There is a risk that legitimate emergency calls will not receive the necessary urgent attention, which poses serious safety concerns for those who need our immediate assistance. We urge everyone not to engage in this prank and to consider the consequences that may result from such activity."

A prank circulating on social media involves sending a loved one an AI-generated image of a supposed home intruder while claiming the stranger has been invited into the home. Examples of the images show a man asleep on a bed or on a couch. The prank has led to multiple emergency deployments of gardaí responding to hoax burglary reports, wasting valuable resources and diverting attention from genuine emergency calls. There is a risk that legitimate emergencies may not receive timely attention, posing serious safety concerns. Authorities urge people not to engage in the prank and to consider the consequences.

Read at Irish Independent