Police in Massachusetts warn that not only is viral AI TikTok prank dangerous, but also against the law

Police in Massachusetts are aware of a viral TikTok “prank” making the rounds on social media and are warning the public.

According to the Salem Police Department, “the prank entails the use of an artificial intelligence (AI) image generator to mockup a photo that makes it appear as though a homeless man is at a resident’s door or inside the home. The man is refusing to leave, and the prankster is in fear of the “intruder”. The setting of the home is real – the “homeless man” is not.

“The AI generated image is then sent via text to the unsuspecting homeowner, relative or friend (with commentary about finding the uninvited man in the home) and their reaction – by text or telephone call – is recorded and posted to social media for “entertainment” and the resulting “clicks” and “likes”.

“In several cases, those who received these AI generated images and commentary sincerely believed that there was an actual intruder in their home and called 9-1-1 to report a burglary or breaking and entering in progress which necessitated an immediate police response. There are several variations of this TikTok AI prank – all of which are designed to provoke a reaction on the part of the recipient of the prank.

The Department states that “there are many reasons why this prank is, to put it bluntly, stupid and potentially dangerous.”

“This prank dehumanizes the homeless, causes the distressed recipient to panic and wastes police resources. Police officers who are called upon to respond do not know this is a prank and treat the call as an actual burglary in progress thus creating a potentially dangerous situation.
It is highly advised that pranksters take the time to read Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 269 Section 14B (Willful and malicious communication of false information to public safety answering points (PSP); penalty; restitution) which states, in part;

(a) Whoever willfully and maliciously communicates with a PSAP, or causes a communication to be made to a PSAP, which communication transmits information which the person knows or has reason to know is false and which results in the dispatch of emergency services to a nonexistent emergency or to the wrong location of an actual emergency…shall be punished by imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than 21/2 years or by a fine of not more than $1,000. Think Of The Consequences Before You Prank.”