FARHAN ALI STALKING INCIDENT IN RUTHERGLEN: AI-DRIVEN HARASSMENT AT MCDONALD'S

Farhan Ali, a 27-year-old master's student residing in Rutherglen, has been formally sentenced following a disturbing series of events involving the harassment of a woman working at a local McDonald's. The court proceedings revealed that Ali engaged in a pattern of invasive behavior over a span of several weeks, specifically from February 3rd to February 23rd, 2024. His actions included persistent attempts to contact the victim through various digital means, despite her clear indications that she was not interested in any form of communication.

Ali, who is currently studying business management at the University of Stirling and also works as a delivery driver for Just Eat, took his harassment to a troubling new level by employing artificial intelligence tools to facilitate his unwanted contact. The court heard that late at night, around 11 pm, Ali approached the victim in the parking lot of the Rutherglen McDonald's while she was engaged in her work, specifically while she was emptying trash bins. CCTV footage confirmed this encounter, showing Ali approaching her in a manner that left her feeling frightened and uneasy, as she later stated she had been 'watching her at work.'

Despite her refusal to share her contact details, Ali continued to pursue her through social media platforms, sending unsolicited messages via Snapchat and Instagram. When these messages were ignored, he escalated his efforts by visiting the restaurant in person, where he ordered a milkshake that the victim subsequently handed to him. This behavior further underscored his persistent and invasive approach.

In addition to his physical and digital harassment, the court was informed that Ali used the ChatGPT application to craft an apology message after the victim blocked him. He claimed that her details had been input into the AI tool, which then generated a message intended to appear conciliatory. This revelation highlighted the concerning use of artificial intelligence in attempting to manipulate or repair the situation after initial rejection.

During the court proceedings, Ali maintained that he had done nothing wrong, asserting that his actions were innocent. However, the prosecutor strongly argued that Ali's conduct was a deliberate effort to force contact with the victim, fully aware of her discomfort and unwillingness to engage. Sheriff Thomas Scott described Ali's behavior as 'unacceptable and concerning,' and he imposed a fine of £300 on Ali, also issuing a warning for him to cease any further misconduct.

The victim expressed a sense of relief following the court's decision, emphasizing her concern over the wrongful and invasive use of AI tools in such harassment cases. Her experience underscores the growing issues surrounding digital privacy and the misuse of artificial intelligence in personal conflicts.