Waymo pulls over, calls cops on riders with a ghost gun

Your robotaxi can and will snitch on you.

by Terrence O'Brien

Sep 13, 2026, 2:28 PM UTC

Photo: Michael Kappeler / picture alliance via Getty Images

Terrence O'Brien is the Verge’s weekend editor. He’s covered the tech industry for over 18 years and knows a thing or two about synths.

Two people were arrested in San Fransico while riding around in a Waymo robotaxi after the cab pulled over and called the cops on them. The riders were juveniles in possession of a loaded AR-style ghost gun and were taken to a juvenile hall. While the police report did not specify who was operating the autonomous car, Waymo later confirmed it was one of its vehicles to the Los Angeles Times.

A spokesperson told the LA Times that a “violation of our terms of service involving a firearm” was detected. At which point the car pulled over and alerted the authorities.

Earlier this year, a Waymo faked having mechanical problems to pull over when two passengers were drinking alcohol and firing a toy gun out of the back of the car. In that instance, the riders Waymo snitched on were also juveniles. So let this be a lesson to teens: if you’re gonna do dumb stuff, don’t do it in the back of a robotaxi.

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