from Hacker News

Linux kernel contributor swatted and handcuffed live on stream [video]

by coldblues on 9/13/24, 3:25 PM with 45 comments

  • by IamLoading on 9/13/24, 3:53 PM

    > Probably as a thank you for my 25 years of #OpenSource work, someone called the police on me and had be #SWAT'ed & #handcuffed while live-streaming t2 #Linux development on Twitch!

    In the video description, apparently it happened in Germany. The streamer posted that he is leaving Germany, as they dont feel safe anymore.

  • by grahamj on 9/13/24, 4:34 PM

    I can understand sending cops based on a phone call - better safe than sorry - but being handcuffed and hauled away should require the cops to have seen something when they got there. No one should be detained solely based on an anonymous tip.
  • by betaby on 9/13/24, 7:34 PM

    I suppose it's easy to get people swated in Germany since every personal blog must have that person address clearly visible https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impressum

    Never was a good idea, but here we are.

  • by Pr0ject217 on 9/13/24, 6:40 PM

    If it is not already, swatting someone should be considered a serious offense, like calling in a bomb threat. Baiting emergency police services to handle personal disputes is absolutely ridiculous.
  • by philshem on 9/13/24, 6:14 PM

  • by teddyh on 9/15/24, 10:38 PM

    > Fortunately, René Rebe and his loved ones are safe in the aftermath of this incident,

    Considering that anyone could do this again at any time, “this is obviously some strange usage of the word safe that I wasn’t previously aware of.”

    > though they likely won't feel totally safe for quite some time.

    Quite a well-founded feeling, I would say.

  • by Modified3019 on 9/13/24, 7:35 PM

    Oh wow, it was exactly who I thought it might be, René Rebe.
  • by dateSISC on 9/13/24, 3:54 PM

    anyone knows why? Can someone just call the police on you and they come and arrest you??
  • by notamy on 9/13/24, 3:43 PM

    I know YouTube comments are a cesspool, but my god it is amazing how so many comments are immediately saying "Rust devs did it," including some using slurs to do so.