It might initially seem amusing to experiment with certain search terms, but typing specific words into Google could lead to unexpected consequences.
I’m certainly not going to risk drawing police attention by Googling these terms myself, but a freelance journalist has already explored this territory.
She found that there are four specific words, when typed together, that could potentially raise suspicion and catch the attention of authorities.
To clarify, these words are not of a sexual nature, nor do they have any connections to children.
In an amusing recount, Catalano shared her experience on her blog, noting: “Googling of certain things was creating a perfect storm of terrorism profiling.”
The searches in question were conducted on her husband’s work laptop, with the terms entered two days apart. Given the recent history of terrorism in New York, this activity alarmed his employer.
The company’s IT staff flagged the searches, leading them to notify the Suffolk County Police Department about the unusual activity linked to Catalano’s residence.
Subsequently, a significant police presence arrived at their home to investigate potential terrorism links.
What exactly did they search? The searches, performed a couple of days apart, included terms like ‘pressure cooker’ and ‘backpacks’, which raised suspicions—as if they were researching components for an explosive device.
If you prefer to avoid a police visit, don’t search for ‘pressure cooker bomb’ alongside ‘backpack’.
There might have been some tension between the employee and his former workplace, as indicated by a statement from the Suffolk County police after the incident.
The statement said: “Suffolk County Criminal Intelligence detectives received a tip from a Bay Shore-based computer company regarding suspicious computer searches conducted by a recently released employee.”
Although the searches were merely for a new pressure cooker and backpack, the experience left Catalano a bit shaken.
She expressed on her blog: “Mostly I felt a great sense of anxiety. This is where we are at. Where you have no expectation of privacy. Where trying to learn how to cook some lentils could possibly land you on a watch list.”
Be cautious with your Google searches!