swatting
/ˈswɒtɪŋ/
Definition
The criminal act of making a false report to emergency services to incite an armed police response to a target's location.
Etymology
The term is derived from 'SWAT' (Special Weapons and Tactics), a specialized law enforcement unit. It emerged in the early 21st century to describe the malicious use of hoax emergency calls to trigger a high-risk tactical police deployment.
In the news
The article identifies swatting as part of a malicious campaign by the Chinese government to intimidate Canadian residents and activists. It highlights this tactic as a form of foreign interference used to harass and threaten individuals on Canadian soil.
Open Letter | Canadian Coalition on Human Rights in China to Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand : On the Occasion of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's Visit to Canada - Raoul Wallenberg Centre
Read the full article ↗Raoul Wallenberg Centre