There are definitely some things you could type into Google that might catch attention, but I won’t be trying them out for this article!
Luckily, one woman already tested this out and discovered that typing four specific words consecutively into a search engine can be enough to bring the police to your door.
If you’re now wondering what these words might be, you’re not alone—I was curious too. But trust me, it’s probably not what you’re thinking.
It’s not anything inappropriate, and it’s definitely not related to kids either.
This incident actually happened back in 2013 in Long Island, New York, and the response to Michele Catalano’s innocent Google searches left her and her husband stunned.
Catalano later shared the bizarre experience on her blog. She explained: “Googling of certain things was creating a perfect storm of terrorism profiling.”
The words were searched a couple of days apart on her husband’s work laptop, and, given the memory of the terror attacks just years earlier, his employer was on high alert.
The company’s IT team flagged the searches and reached out to the Suffolk County Police Department, reporting the odd activity coming from Catalano’s address.
Before long, a large police team was at their house, ready to investigate any signs of terrorist activity.
So, what did they search?
The searches were made just days apart, but it was enough to trigger suspicion. Searches for “pressure cooker” and “backpacks” in close succession had someone on edge, probably thinking they were looking up how to make something dangerous.
If you’d prefer to avoid unexpected visits from the police, it’s probably best not to Google “pressure cooker bomb” alongside “backpack.”
There may have been some friction between the former employee and his workplace, though, as the Suffolk County Police released a statement after the raid.
The statement read: “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.”
Even though Catalano was only shopping for a new pressure cooker and backpack, the experience left her quite shaken.
She shared 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.”
So, now you know! Be mindful when Googling, and stay safe!
