Police investigators bypass security by uploading massive Chinese audio to Google Translate

Internal reports show New Zealand police repeatedly breached AI usage policies, culminating in the upload of 350,000 lines of Chinese audio to Google Translate, a non-secure platform. The practice originated from a six-month Whisper AI trial that reduced translation time from an estimated 750 hours to ten during the 2024 Operation Parade cult investigation. Despite a formal prohibition on using AI for English audio, officers ignored the rule and even produced legal documents with the technology.

Under intense pressure to grade and prioritize evidence, staff took data home and relied on personal devices, exposing confidential information. Detective Inspector Stu Mills called the incidents "unfortunate but not unexpected" and warned that without a permanent, approved AI tool, risky shortcuts will persist. Whisper AI was withdrawn in March 2025, yet its limited re-adoption and unclear audit mechanisms left the force vulnerable to further misuse.