Airline threatens teenager with FBI for ‘joke’ Tweet
A teenager has caused a Twitter storm after posting a threatening Tweet to American Airlines, which she later claimed was a joke.
The carrier immediately told the girl that it was reporting her to the FBI in the United States.
The 14-year-old, who uses the Twitter name @QueenDemetriax 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."
The airline immediately responded, saying it always took threats seriously and that her details and IP address had been passed to security and the FBI.
The girl, who instantly gained tens of thousands of Twitter followers, immediately apologised but the airline did not make any further response.
Both her original tweet and American Airlines’ response have been deleted.
On Sunday, she Tweeted: "@AmericanAir pls pls can I do something to make it good pls I’m so scared I’m just a 14 year old white girl I’m not a terrorist pls
Her plea was retweeted over 3,500 times.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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