A Dutch teen using the name “Sarah” on the Twitter handle @QueenDemetriax_ on Monday tweeted: “@AmericanAir hello my name’s Ibrahim and I’m from Afghanistan. I’m part of Al Qaida and on June 1st I’m gonna do something really big bye.”
American Airlines responded swiftly from its official Twitter account with a tweet that has since been removed: “Sarah, we take these threats very seriously. Your IP address and details will be forwarded to security and the FBI.”
Shortly thereafter, in a series of tweets, the girl pleaded frantically with the airline, writing, “I’m just a girl,” and claiming the threat was a joke made by her friend, but it was already too late.
The teenager turned herself into police in the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands on Monday afternoon, after authorities launched an investigation into her whereabouts, according to Wessel Stolle, a Rotterdam Police Department spokesman told CNN.
“The assumption made by her tweets was taken seriously, and I may add that it is a rather alarming threat,” said Stolle.
The girl has been charged with “posting a false or alarming announcement” under Dutch law, but the consequences of the accusation remain unclear, according to CNN.
Part of Twitter’s acceptable use policy is the policing of direct cyber threats of violence against other users.
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