Man Uses AI Chatbots to Cyberstalk Woman
Stalking has evolved in the past few decades. People can now effortlessly stalk a person without even leaving their home. They can use computers, phones, and other technology (such as AirTags) to locate a person and follow them.
This is called cyberstalking and it is illegal. Still, many people engage in it. Some do it for many years. Some are even using advanced technology such as artificial intelligence.
A man from Massachusetts was recently arrested after cyberstalking a woman for seven years. He allegedly used multiple online platforms as well as AI-driven chatbots to harass a Massachusetts woman.
The 36-year-old man was charged with one count of cyberstalking. He had a detention hearing scheduled for September 16. He started harassing the woman in late 2017 and continued until August 2024.
The man allegedly met the woman through a mutual friend. He had attended parties at the victim’s home between 2015 and 2017. In late 2017, the man created numerous social media accounts to post photos of the victim. These posts included images taken inside the woman’s home without her knowledge.
The man shared the woman’s personal information online, including email addresses, home address, and passwords. He also posted digitally altered images to make her appear nude.
In addition, he programmed AI chatbots to communicate with others on social media to torment her further.
The woman’s personal information and images were posted on 13 websites. By August 2024, she had received more than 60 harassing messages and calls from unknown senders.
The U.S. Attorney found the man’s alleged actions to be reprehensible and criminal. If convicted, the man faces up to five years in prison, with three years of supervised release once he is released from prison. He also faces a fine of $250,000.
AI and Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking may use AI technology to track, harass, or intimidate people. AI technology can be used for cyberstalking in the following ways:
- Automated social media monitoring. AI-driven tools can be used to scrape public profiles, gather personal information, and track online activities across multiple platforms.
- Deepfake technology. Deepfake AI can create realistic but fake videos or images of the victim, which can be used for extortion, blackmail, or reputational damage.
- AI-powered doxxing. AI can be used to find and compile personal data from various sources more efficiently, making it easier to publicly expose someone’s sensitive information.
- AI chatbots can impersonate the victim’s friends, family, or even the victim themselves, creating fake conversations to manipulate, deceive, or harass the victim.
- Location tracking. AI-enhanced geolocation technologies can be used to track the victim’s movements through their digital footprint, including metadata from photos, social media check-ins, or Wi-Fi signals.
Contact a Legal Professional for Help
Stalking no longer requires physically following someone. You can do so easily with a computer, without leaving your own home. Plus, you can train AI to stalk people, which can be a scary situation.
Laws prohibiting certain conduct involving computers and internet technology can be complex and highly technical. A Florida computer & internet crime lawyer from the Law Offices of Gilbert A. Schaffnit can help. We are knowledgeable of these laws. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (352) 505-1799.
Source:
wcvb.com/article/plymouth-massachusetts-man-arrested-cyberstalking-ai-chatbots/62160078
