Google AI Spreads False Info About License Plate Cameras Containing Gold
Google's AI-powered search engine was caught spreading false information about Flock Safety license plate cameras. The cameras, used by law enforcement agencies in North Texas for vehicle tracking and crime prevention, were inaccurately reported to contain gold and copper worth hundreds of dollars.
The mistake originated from satirical posts and memes circulating online, where users joke about the metal scrap value of public surveillance equipment. Google's AI algorithm cited an anonymous Substack blog post and an AI-generated Instagram image as authoritative sources for the claim.
Each Flock camera weighs around three pounds total, making it physically impossible for them to contain the claimed amounts of gold and copper. At current market prices, five grams of gold alone would be worth over $600.