A woman revealed four words to avoid Googling if you don’t want an unexpected visit from the police.
In 2013, Michele Catalano learned the hard way that certain online searches can attract police attention.
After Googling some seemingly innocent items, Michele and her husband found themselves under unexpected scrutiny.
This article explains how a simple internet search led to a visit from law enforcement and serves as a warning about online privacy and surveillance.
The incident: A routine search gone wrong
Michele, a freelance writer from Long Island, New York, searched online for a pressure cooker.
Meanwhile, her husband looked for a new backpack. Both items are common household purchases, and their searches would usually seem unremarkable.
However, just two days later, her husband searched for both items from his work computer before leaving his job. The IT team noticed these keywords and flagged the search.
Why authorities took action
The timing of their searches was key.
Earlier that year, two homemade bombs using pressure cookers were detonated at the Boston Marathon, resulting in deaths and injuries.
Michele’s husband’s former employer, suspicious due to the search terms, reported the activity to the Suffolk County Police Department.
The police took the tip seriously, suspecting a potential threat.
A visit from law enforcement
Shortly after, several black SUVs arrived at Michele’s house.
Her husband saw three SUVs blocking their driveway, making it impossible to leave.
Michele described the scene as “surreal,” recounting her husband’s disbelief and anxiety as the police questioned them about their searches.
This unintentional “perfect storm” of search terms had brought about a full-scale response from law enforcement.
Michele’s reflections on privacy
Michele later shared the incident on her blog, noting the tension between everyday privacy and national security.
“This is where we are at,” she wrote. “Where you have no expectation of privacy. Where trying to learn how to cook some lentils could possibly land you on a watch list.”
Her experience underscores how even innocent searches can raise alarms and lead to unexpected consequences.
Michele’s experience serves as a warning: some online searches can trigger unintended responses. For those concerned about privacy, it’s a reminder to be mindful of what you search, as it could lead to unintended scrutiny