In mid-September the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) notified the Nemzeti Nyomozó Iroda Transatlantics Operations Division (NNI TMO) after an AI company reported a user linked to Hungary who made violent statements during conversations with a chatbot. According to Police.hu, the user discussed plans related to a terrorist act and consulted the chatbot about weapons that could be used in a planned attack.
The transferred information indicated the user threatened violent acts against groups and individuals and made statements such as “there can be no mercy, and you must be able to carry out what you planned” and “this will soon be a mass atrocity.” Following the report, the FBI passed the information to the NNI TMO.
Identification, arrest and seizures
Using electronic traces and investigative methods, investigators from the Nemzeti Nyomozó Iroda quickly identified the account holder as a 16-year-old boy from Győr. The juvenile was detained at his home in Győr on September 15, 2023. Police conducted a search and seized his mobile phone and computer; forensic examination of the devices has already begun.
After being taken into custody, the boy was questioned as a suspect on the charge of threatening to commit a terrorist act. Authorities have not provided further procedural details; they may release more information as the investigation continues.
Why it matters
The case illustrates how oversight of AI services and reporting mechanisms can require cross-border cooperation. Rapid information sharing between the AI company, U.S. authorities and Hungarian investigators enabled a swift response that, according to the official statement, helped prevent a potentially serious incident.
(Source: Police.hu.)
