The Google Home is just one of several smart home devices currently available in the market. Image: YouTube/Made by Google
A smart home device accidentally stopped a domestic dispute in New Mexico when it called the police.
A report on ABC News stated that Eduardo Barros had gotten into an argument with his girlfriend. He asked her, “Did you call the sheriffs?” which the smart home device recognized as a command to “call the sheriffs.” The device then dialed 911.
Bernalillo County Sheriff Department spokesperson, Deputy Felicia Romero, stated that the couple were heard arguing over the phone call and then became physical.
Barros had been house-sitting with his girlfriend and daughter at a residence in Tijeras.
Crisis negotiators and a SWAT team were deployed to the residence. The woman and child were safely removed and Barros was taken into custody after several hours of negotiation.
Barros is facing charges for possession of firearm or destructive device by a felon, aggravated assault against a household member, aggravated battery against a household member and false imprisonment, said the report.
“The unexpected use of this new technology to contact emergency services has possibly helped save a life. This amazing technology definitely helped save a mother and her child from a very violent situation,” said Romero.
While the device played a pivotal role in saving lives in this case, it also shows that one can never tell who (or what) is listening in on a conversation. Perhaps certain privacy protocols could be re-examined. Alfred Bayle/JB/rga