Source: StateScoop

 
StateScoop reports on the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) settlement with Evolv, an AI weapon-detection company accused of deceptive advertising practices. The FTC’s complaint alleges that Evolv exaggerated the accuracy and effectiveness of its AI-powered Express scanners, which are widely deployed in schools, stadiums, and other venues.

Investigations revealed that the scanners failed to detect weapons in multiple instances, including a seven-inch knife used in a school stabbing. Furthermore, false claims about accuracy, reduced labor costs, and lower false alarm rates were found to mislead customers. Following complaints about high false positive rates, some school systems adjusted the scanners, leading to operational inefficiencies.

As part of the settlement, Evolv is prohibited from making unsupported claims about its product's abilities and must allow certain schools with long-term contracts to cancel agreements. The FTC aims to hold AI companies accountable for misleading safety claims, particularly when children’s safety is at risk. This case underscores the growing regulatory scrutiny on AI technologies in public safety applications.