Case evolv-ftc-school-weapons-scannerAI misfireUnited States
FTC acts against Evolv over AI weapons scanners that missed a knife used to stab a student at a school
The FTC alleged Evolv deceptively claimed its AI-powered Evolv Express scanners would detect all weapons, citing an October 2022 case in which a seven-inch knife went undetected at a school and was used to stab a student. Evolv must let certain K-12 customers cancel contracts and is barred from unsupported claims about AI detection.
HighHarm caused by AIStatus: ResolvedVerified case file
Open in the interactive mapCite this case
- Reported
- Nov 26, 2024
- Location
- United States
- Target
- K-12 schools using Evolv Express AI weapons scanners (800+ schools)
- Severity
- High
- Verification
- Confirmed by victim, vendor or authority
- Triggered by
- Evolv Technologies
- Actor type
- AI product design / safeguards
- Sector
- Education & research
- Reported loss
- None reported
- CVE
- None
What happened
The FTC alleged Evolv deceptively claimed its AI-powered Evolv Express scanners would detect all weapons, citing an October 2022 case in which a seven-inch knife went undetected at a school and was used to stab a student. Evolv must let certain K-12 customers cancel contracts and is barred from unsupported claims about AI detection.
Impact: Student stabbed with a knife the scanner missed; schools locked into multi-year contracts; up to 50% false alarm rate after sensitivity raised
Who triggered it
Actor: Evolv Technologies
Attribution: US Federal Trade Commission complaint and stipulated order
Motive: Commercial (overstated AI capabilities)
How it happened
Attack vector: AI weapons screening at school entrances
Root cause: Scanners missed weapons and produced high false alarms while marketed as AI-accurate
Timeline
- Scanner misses a knife later used to stab a student at a school (month only reported)
- FTC announces complaint and proposed settlement
Response
Proposed order lets K-12 customers who signed April 2022 to June 2023 cancel; no monetary relief
Current status: Resolved
Sources (open in a new tab)
- US Federal Trade Commission ftc.gov
- KSL ksl.com
Cite this case
FTC acts against Evolv over AI weapons scanners that missed a knife used to stab a student at a school. AI Threat Watch, case evolv-ftc-school-weapons-scanner, Nov 26, 2024. https://aithreat.io/cases/evolv-ftc-school-weapons-scanner/
Permanent link: https://aithreat.io/cases/evolv-ftc-school-weapons-scanner/
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