Woman warns against googling four key words after police visit

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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.

 

woman warns against googling four key words after police visit 9051
Michele Catalano warned against Googling certain terms to avoid police visits. Image Credits: Getty

 

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

woman warns against googling four key words after police visit 9053
In 2013, she and her husband searched for a pressure cooker and backpack, raising suspicion. Image Credits: Getty

 

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

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Her husband’s workplace flagged the searches, reporting them to Suffolk County Police. Image Credits: Getty

 

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.

woman warns against googling four key words after police visit 9050
This incident followed the Boston Marathon bombing, where pressure cookers were used as bombs. Image Credits: Getty

 

Her husband saw three SUVs blocking their driveway, making it impossible to leave.

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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


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