Swatting: A Dangerous Online Trend Targeting Internet Personalities
Celebrities Fall Prey to Swatting Incidents: An Increasing Number of Famous Personalities Are Targeted by Hoax Emergency Calls
In the digital age, internet personalities are finding themselves in the crosshairs of a risky and downright terrifying phenomenon known as "Swatting." Armed police forces invade the homes of popular figures, apprehending them for alleged serious crimes – maybe even a murder, hostage situation, or school shooting. But what exactly is behind this trend, and just how many people are truly affected?
The Chilling Reality of Swatting
Swatting is a form of online bullying or harassment where unknown individuals make a false emergency call, usually reporting a violent crime at the victim's residence. The idea is to trigger a large-scale law enforcement response, most commonly involving SWAT teams (hence the name). According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), there were over 1,000 Swatting incidents in the US between 2015 and 2020, with a growing trend. In a 2022 study by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), 1 in 4 influencers surveyed had already experienced online harassment, including Swatting. These incidents most frequently impact Twitch and YouTube streamers, whose live content provides perpetrators with a real-time audience.
Traceable, but Still Effective
Although anonymity online makes it challenging to trace perpetrators, several factors contribute to the increasing number of Swatting incidents. These include the rise of online celebrity culture, easy access to personal details, and the low risk of getting caught. Moreover, swatting is sometimes seen as a severe form of online prank, while for others, it is a means of harassment. Lastly, technological advances like smart home devices and livestreaming technology provide new avenues for harassment.
The Traumatic Experience of a Swatted Target
Recently, a well-known influencer fell victim to Swatting. Kelsey Darragh found herself naked in front of a heavily armed police force that had surrounded her California home. The trigger for this traumatic event was a false emergency call claiming a man had murdered his wife and intended to kill his children. Darragh was handcuffed, held at gunpoint, and felt like she was in an action movie – except it was all too real. The perpetrator remain unknown, and the call came from an untraceable Google Voice number.
Remembering the Fatal Consequences
One of the most tragic cases of swatting occurred in 2017, when a dispute between Call of Duty: WWII players escalated. One player, Casey Viner, hired known swatter Tyler Barriss to "swat" his opponent, Shane Gaskill. Gaskill intentionally provided an old address, now occupied by 28-year-old Andrew Finch. Barriss called the Wichita police and falsely reported that he had shot his father and was holding other family members hostage. The police responded to this false alarm and Whistling, unaware of the situation, opened his door – ten seconds later, he was shot by officer Justin Rapp, believing Finch was reaching for a weapon.
Swatted Victims in the Headlines
Several other prominent figures have been affected by Swatting, including:
- Ashton Kutcher (2012): False alarm about a supposed break-in at his home.
- Justin Bieber (2012): SWAT deployment due to a bomb threat.
- YouTuber Jordan Kootra Mathewson (2014): SWAT team stormed his office during a live stream.
- Journalist Taylor Lorenz (2023): Victim of multiple swatting incidents due to her reporting on online radicalization.
- Livestreamers Adin Ross, IShowSpeed, Pokimane, xQc – all affected multiple times, some even during streams.
- The swatting incident at Kelsey Darragh's California home was a chilling reminder of the risk internet personalities face in the digital age.
- Swatting incidents have become more prevalent due to factors such as the rise of online celebrity culture, easy access to personal details, and the low risk of getting caught.
- Tracing perpetrators is challenging due to anonymity online, but the increasing number of swatting incidents shows it's still an effective method of online harassment.
- In a tragic case, the fatal consequences of swatting were evident when a dispute between Call of Duty: WWII players led to the death of an innocent man, Andrew Finch.
- Public figures like Ashton Kutcher, Justin Bieber, Jordan Kootra Mathewson, Taylor Lorenz, Adin Ross, IShowSpeed, and Pokimane have all been targeted by Swatting, illustrating the widespread nature of this danger in the social-media entertainment and general-news sectors, particularly crime-and-justice reporting.
