FTC Cracks Down on Evolv Technologies Over Misleading AI Security Claims

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sending a strong message to Evolv Technologies and the broader artificial intelligence (AI) industry that if you’re going to promise product features powered by artificial intelligence, you’d better deliver. The agency has accused the Massachusetts-based company of making false claims about its AI-driven security scanners, which are widely used in schools, hospitals, and stadiums.

Evolv marketed its flagship system, Evolv Express, as a high-tech alternative to old-school metal detectors. The company claimed its AI could detect weapons faster and more accurately, flag fewer false positives, and slash labor costs by up to 70%. But according to the FTC, those promises didn’t hold up in real-world scenarios—particularly in schools, which make up half of Evolv’s customers.

In one alarming case, an Evolv scanner reportedly failed to detect a seven-inch knife brought into a school in October 2022. Tragically, that knife was later used to stab a student. To address such failures, Evolv tried tweaking its system to be more sensitive, but this led to even more false alarms. Everyday school items like laptops and water bottles suddenly became “threats,” requiring staff to step in—a far cry from the labor savings Evolv touted.

FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine made it clear, "When it comes to safety, especially for children, technology claims need to be backed up. If they’re not, the FTC will step in."

The Fallout: What Evolv Faces

The proposed FTC settlement is no slap on the wrist. Evolv must stop making unsupported claims about its technology’s capabilities, whether it’s detecting weapons, reducing false alarms, or cutting costs. The company also has to give certain K-12 schools the option to cancel contracts they signed between April 2022 and June 2023.

Moving forward, Evolv will be prohibited from:

• Exaggerating how well its scanners detect weapons.
• Claiming its AI outperforms traditional metal detectors.
• Misrepresenting the system’s speed, accuracy, or cost savings.
• Misleading customers about testing results or any other critical performance metrics.

A Broader Push for AI Accountability

This isn’t just about one company—it’s part of the FTC’s broader effort to rein in exaggerated claims about AI. Earlier this year, the agency launched Operation AI Comply, targeting businesses that stretch the truth about their AI products. The goal is twofold: protect consumers and level the playing field for companies that innovate responsibly.

The FTC’s action serves as a warning to the tech world that hype doesn’t cut it, especially when public safety is on the line.

For schools, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Many signed multi-year contracts with Evolv, banking on promises that their students would be safer. The FTC’s settlement aims to give those schools an escape hatch and hold Evolv accountable for putting marketing spin over substance.

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