IoT Device Calls Police During Alleged Domestic Abuse Incident

We've heard of thieves accidentally pocket-dialing the police during or right after a theft, and now another type of technology has arisen to foil would-be criminal situations. According to a recent report, an alleged abuser accidentally called the cops on himself during what police describe as a domestic altercation. How? By accidentally issuing the voice commands 'call the sheriffs.'

The incident took place in New Mexico, where ABC News reports that a couple got into an argument in a home that contained a smart connected device; which device isn't clear, though it was indicated by the police to be something like an Amazon Echo or Google Home (and very well may have been either of those gadgets). This unspecified smart speaker was listening into the couple's argument which allegedly turned violent.

The alleged abuser reportedly said, "Did you call the sheriffs?" Though the question was addressed to the man's girlfriend, the IoT device picked up on it and, perceiving it to be a voice command, proceeded to call the local sheriff's department. Deputies and a SWAT team arrived, eventually talking down the situation and freeing the alleged abuser's girlfriend and her daughter from the home.

Speaking to ABC News, Bernalillo County Sheriff Manueal Gonzales III said: "The unexpected use of this new technology to contact emergency services has possibly helped save a life. This amazing technology definitely helped save a mother and her child from a very violent situation."

SOURCE: ABC News