&gt;Terror on the other hand is practiced by governments and law enforcement officials, usually within the legal framework of the state.[1]<p>Depending on the circumstances the scenario you describe can be terror. IMHO swatting on shaky grounds would qualify.<p>[1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Terror_(politics)" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;en.wikipedia.org&#x2F;wiki&#x2F;Terror_(politics)</a>