This week: A tale of creative cryopreservation, Transylvania's 16th-century weather reports, and dancing turtles.

This week: A tale of creative cryopreservation, Transylvaniax27;s 16th-century weather reports, and dancing turtles.#TheAbstract #science

Antarctica's Only Insect

This week: A tale of creative cryopreservation, Transylvania's 16th-century weather reports, and dancing turtles.

^{Becky Ferreira (404 Media)}

The list includes budget claims like "$3.4 million for Malaysian drug-fueled gay sex app" and "Disbursed $15,000 to 'queer' Muslim writers in India."

The list includes budget claims like "$3.4 million for Malaysian drug-fueled gay sex app" and "Disbursed $15,000 to x27;queerx27; Muslim writers in India."#dei #archives #government #DOGE

Researcher Captures Contents of ‘DEI.gov’ Before It Was Hidden Behind a Password

The list includes budget claims like "$3.4 million for Malaysian drug-fueled gay sex app" and "Disbursed $15,000 to 'queer' Muslim writers in India."

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}

This week, we discuss Apple's iCloud, Wikipedia as a miracle of humankind, and good soup.

This week, we discuss Applex27;s iCloud, Wikipedia as a miracle of humankind, and good soup.#BehindTheBlog

Behind the Blog: Backdoors and the Miracle of Wikipedia

This week, we discuss Apple's iCloud, Wikipedia as a miracle of humankind, and good soup.

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}

Musk told reporters all of DOGE's actions are "maximally transparent." The website tracking waste is currently about an imaginary architecture firm.

Musk told reporters all of DOGEx27;s actions are "maximally transparent." The website tracking waste is currently about an imaginary architecture firm.#Wastegov #ElonMusk #DOGE #WhiteHouse

Elon Musk's Waste.gov Is Just a WordPress Theme Placeholder Page

Musk told reporters all of DOGE's actions are "maximally transparent." The website tracking waste is currently about an imaginary architecture firm.

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

This week we discuss a new Microsoft study that finds using generative AI is "atrophying" people's cognition and critical thinking skills, the right's war on Wikipedia, and, in the subscriber's section, the idea of posting against fascism.

This week we discuss a new Microsoft study that finds using generative AI is "atrophying" peoplex27;s cognition and critical thinking skills, the rightx27;s war on Wikipedia, and, in the subscriberx27;s section, the idea of posting against fasc…#podcasts

Podcast: AI Is Breaking Our Brains

This week we discuss a new Microsoft study that finds using generative AI is "atrophying" people's cognition and critical thinking skills, the right's war on Wikipedia, and, in the subscriber's section, the idea of posting against fasc…

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

After health agencies responded to Trump's executive order deeming there to be only "two sexes" by scrubbing sites of important resources, a judge ordered they have until midnight Tuesday to bring them back online.

After health agencies responded to Trumpx27;s executive order deeming there to be only "two sexes" by scrubbing sites of important resources, a judge ordered they have until midnight Tuesday to bring them back online.#health #DonaldTrump #cdc #fda

Judge Orders CDC and FDA to Restore Pages Removed by Trump Admin Before Midnight

After health agencies responded to Trump's executive order deeming there to be only "two sexes" by scrubbing sites of important resources, a judge ordered they have until midnight Tuesday to bring them back online.

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}

Employees at Elon Musk's agency have been told "OMB is asking us to stop generating new slack messages starting now."

Employees at Elon Muskx27;s agency have been told "OMB is asking us to stop generating new slack messages starting now."#DOGE #ElonMusk

DOGE Employees Ordered to Stop Using Slack While Agency Transitions to a Records System Not Subject to FOIA

Employees at Elon Musk's agency have been told "OMB is asking us to stop generating new slack messages starting now."

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

We talk all about Musk's takeover of the federal government, including audio of a meeting we got touching a Musk ally's AI plans. Then, AI slop in libraries.

We talk all about Muskx27;s takeover of the federal government, including audio of a meeting we got touching a Musk allyx27;s AI plans. Then, AI slop in libraries.#Podcast

Podcast: Inside Musk’s Government Takeover

We talk all about Musk's takeover of the federal government, including audio of a meeting we got touching a Musk ally's AI plans. Then, AI slop in libraries.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

A 404 Media reader made a PDF version of the World War II-era manual that's going viral right now.

A 404 Media reader made a PDF version of the World War II-era manual thatx27;s going viral right now.#opensource

Here's a PDF Version of the CIA Guide to Sabotaging Fascism

A 404 Media reader made a PDF version of the World War II-era manual that's going viral right now.

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

The Air Force paid a company that is doing generative AI work for the government. The Air Force won't say what it did, though.

The Air Force paid a company that is doing generative AI work for the government. The Air Force wonx27;t say what it did, though.#FOIA

Air Force Documents on Gen AI Test Are Just Whole Pages of Redactions

The Air Force paid a company that is doing generative AI work for the government. The Air Force won't say what it did, though.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

This is Behind the Blog, where we share our behind-the-scenes thoughts about how a few of our top stories of the week came together. This week, we discuss AI's boom or bust, trying Github's Copilot, and making time for good ideas.

This is Behind the Blog, where we share our behind-the-scenes thoughts about how a few of our top stories of the week came together. This week, we discuss AIx27;s boom or bust, trying Githubx27;s Copilot, and making time for good ideas.#BehindTheBlog

Behind the Blog: Boom, Bust, and Big Ideas

This is Behind the Blog, where we share our behind-the-scenes thoughts about how a few of our top stories of the week came together. This week, we discuss AI's boom or bust, trying Github's Copilot, and making time for good ideas.

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}

OpenAI shocked that an AI company would train on someone else's data without permission or compensation.

OpenAI shocked that an AI company would train on someone elsex27;s data without permission or compensation.#OpenAI #DeepSeek

OpenAI Furious DeepSeek Might Have Stolen All the Data OpenAI Stole From Us

OpenAI shocked that an AI company would train on someone else's data without permission or compensation.

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

We talk all about DeepSeek, the U.S. government memo metadata, and how GitHub is showing the U.S. government's transformation in real time.

We talk all about DeepSeek, the U.S. government memo metadata, and how GitHub is showing the U.S. governmentx27;s transformation in real time.#Podcast

Podcast: The Truth Behind DeepSeek

We talk all about DeepSeek, the U.S. government memo metadata, and how GitHub is showing the U.S. government's transformation in real time.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

In this special interview episode of the 404 Media Podcast, Sam talks to Alexzandra Kekesi, VP of Brand and Community at Pornhub, about age verification laws and what she's hearing from adult performers.

In this special interview episode of the 404 Media Podcast, Sam talks to Alexzandra Kekesi, VP of Brand and Community at Pornhub, about age verification laws and what shex27;s hearing from adult performers.#Podcast

Podcast: Pornhub Exec Discusses Pulling Out of the South, Trad Wives, and Feet Pics

In this special interview episode of the 404 Media Podcast, Sam talks to Alexzandra Kekesi, VP of Brand and Community at Pornhub, about age verification laws and what she's hearing from adult performers.

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}

Watch the Trump administration play DEI whac-a-mole on this government agency's GitHub page.

Watch the Trump administration play DEI whac-a-mole on this government agencyx27;s GitHub page.#Github #DonaldTrump #Trumpadministration

GitHub Is Showing the Trump Administration Scrubbing Government Web Pages in Real Time

Watch the Trump administration play DEI whac-a-mole on this government agency's GitHub page.

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

"Challah Horse" was a Polish meme warning about Facebook AI spam 'targeted at susceptible people' that was stolen by a spam page targeted at susceptible people.

"Challah Horse" was a Polish meme warning about Facebook AI spam x27;targeted at susceptible peoplex27; that was stolen by a spam page targeted at susceptible people.#AISpam #Facebook #MarkZuckerberg #AISlop #FacebookSpam

Viral 'Challah Horse' Image Zuckerberg Loved Was Originally Created as a Warning About Facebook's AI Slop

"Challah Horse" was a Polish meme warning about Facebook AI spam 'targeted at susceptible people' that was stolen by a spam page targeted at susceptible people.

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

Why it's more important than ever to have decentralized social networks; the geolocation AI tool being marketed to cops; and Nokia's newly discovered archive of whacky ideas.

Why itx27;s more important than ever to have decentralized social networks; the geolocation AI tool being marketed to cops; and Nokiax27;s newly discovered archive of whacky ideas.#Podcast

Podcast: TikTok and the Tech Oligarchy

Why it's more important than ever to have decentralized social networks; the geolocation AI tool being marketed to cops; and Nokia's newly discovered archive of whacky ideas.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

The TikTok ban and Donald Trump's rise to power show how fragile our social media accounts are. We must normalize and invest in decentralized social media.

The TikTok ban and Donald Trumpx27;s rise to power show how fragile our social media accounts are. We must normalize and invest in decentralized social media.#Socialmedia #DonaldTrump #TikTok #TikTokBan

Decentralized Social Media Is the Only Alternative to the Tech Oligarchy

The TikTok ban and Donald Trump's rise to power show how fragile our social media accounts are. We must normalize and invest in decentralized social media.

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

A security researcher made a tool that let them quickly check which of Cloudflare's data centers had cached an image, which allowed them to figure out what city a Discord, Signal, or Twitter/X user might be in.

A security researcher made a tool that let them quickly check which of Cloudflarex27;s data centers had cached an image, which allowed them to figure out what city a Discord, Signal, or Twitter/X user might be in.#News #Privacy

Cloudflare Issue Can Leak Chat App Users' Broad Location

A security researcher made a tool that let them quickly check which of Cloudflare's data centers had cached an image, which allowed them to figure out what city a Discord, Signal, or Twitter/X user might be in.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

For months members of the public have been using GeoSpy, a tool trained on millions of images that can find the location a photo was taken based on soil, architecture, and more. It's GeoGuesser at scale.

For months members of the public have been using GeoSpy, a tool trained on millions of images that can find the location a photo was taken based on soil, architecture, and more. Itx27;s GeoGuesser at scale.#News #Privacy

The Powerful AI Tool That Cops (or Stalkers) Can Use to Geolocate Photos in Seconds

For months members of the public have been using GeoSpy, a tool trained on millions of images that can find the location a photo was taken based on soil, architecture, and more. It's GeoGuesser at scale.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

Multiple experts drew comparisons between Meta's recent changes around immigration and what happened in Myanmar in 2017, where Facebook contributed to a genocide by allowing the spread of hate.

Multiple experts drew comparisons between Metax27;s recent changes around immigration and what happened in Myanmar in 2017, where Facebook contributed to a genocide by allowing the spread of hate.#News

Meta Is Laying the Narrative Groundwork for Trump’s Mass Deportations

Multiple experts drew comparisons between Meta's recent changes around immigration and what happened in Myanmar in 2017, where Facebook contributed to a genocide by allowing the spread of hate.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

The dystopia of Los Angeles' fires are horrifying, mundane, and everything in between.

The dystopia of Los Angelesx27; fires are horrifying, mundane, and everything in between.#Wildfires #CaliforniaFire #PalisadesFire

‘We’re Fine’: Lying to Ourselves About a Climate Disaster

The dystopia of Los Angeles' fires are horrifying, mundane, and everything in between.

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

Meta's decision to specifically allow users to call LGBTQ+ people "mentally ill" has sparked widespread backlash at the company.

Metax27;s decision to specifically allow users to call LGBTQ+ people "mentally ill" has sparked widespread backlash at the company.#Meta #Facebook #MarkZuckerberg

‘It’s Total Chaos Internally at Meta Right Now’: Employees Protest Zuckerberg’s Anti LGBTQ Changes

Meta's decision to specifically allow users to call LGBTQ+ people "mentally ill" has sparked widespread backlash at the company.

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

Google's AI search feature is telling people searching for answers about using vibrating sex toys during pregnancy that they should consider it for counseling children, instead.

Googlex27;s AI search feature is telling people searching for answers about using vibrating sex toys during pregnancy that they should consider it for counseling children, instead.#Google #AI #aioverview

Google's AI Overview Tells Adults to Use 'Magic Wand' With Kids

Google's AI search feature is telling people searching for answers about using vibrating sex toys during pregnancy that they should consider it for counseling children, instead.

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}

We're back after the holiday with a ton of stories. Meta, Pornhub, and FBI's witnesses are all in this episode.

Wex27;re back after the holiday with a ton of stories. Meta, Pornhub, and FBIx27;s witnesses are all in this episode.#Podcast

Podcast: Meta Goes Mask Off

We're back after the holiday with a ton of stories. Meta, Pornhub, and FBI's witnesses are all in this episode.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

As of today, three more states join the list of 17 that can't access Pornhub because of age verification laws.

As of today, three more states join the list of 17 that canx27;t access Pornhub because of age verification laws.#pornhub #ageverification

Pornhub Is Now Blocked In Almost All of the U.S. South

As of today, three more states join the list of 17 that can't access Pornhub because of age verification laws.

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}

Some people don't love our magic link logins. But the best way for us to protect your password is to never ask for it.

Some people donx27;t love our magic link logins. But the best way for us to protect your password is to never ask for it.#News

We Don’t Want Your Password

Some people don't love our magic link logins. But the best way for us to protect your password is to never ask for it.

^{Emanuel Maiberg (404 Media)}

Here's a holiday gift: an episode that was previously only available to paying subscribers. Make sure to sign up for tons more bonus content like this.

Herex27;s a holiday gift: an episode that was previously only available to paying subscribers. Make sure to sign up for tons more bonus content like this.#Podcast

Podcast: Why We Cover AI the Way We Do

Here's a holiday gift: an episode that was previously only available to paying subscribers. Make sure to sign up for tons more bonus content like this.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

A review of a tipster's phone revealed 'real' CSAM mixed in with AI CSAM, and a darker involvement in the case.

A review of a tipsterx27;s phone revealed x27;realx27; CSAM mixed in with AI CSAM, and a darker involvement in the case.#CourtWatch

Tipster Arrested After Feds Find AI Child Exploit Images and Plans to Make VR CSAM

A review of a tipster's phone revealed 'real' CSAM mixed in with AI CSAM, and a darker involvement in the case.

^{Seamus Hughes (404 Media)}

A new report from Amnesty International reveals multiple cases where Serbian authorities used Cellebrite devices to access targets' mobile phones before loading them with spyware.

A new report from Amnesty International reveals multiple cases where Serbian authorities used Cellebrite devices to access targetsx27; mobile phones before loading them with spyware.#News #Privacy

Cellebrite Unlocked This Journalist’s Phone. Cops Then Infected it With Malware

A new report from Amnesty International reveals multiple cases where Serbian authorities used Cellebrite devices to access targets' mobile phones before loading them with spyware.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

The New Jersey drone situation is very interesting. We've also seen this story before.

The New Jersey drone situation is very interesting. Wex27;ve also seen this story before.#NewJerseydrones #mysterydrones #Drones

WTF Is Going on With the New Jersey Mystery Drones? Maybe Mass Panic Over Nothing

The New Jersey drone situation is very interesting. We've also seen this story before.

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

Traffic Cam Photobooth lets you take a capture from NYC surveillance camera. The city's Department of Transportation does not like that.

Traffic Cam Photobooth lets you take a capture from NYC surveillance camera. The cityx27;s Department of Transportation does not like that.#Cameras #Surveillance

Traffic Camera 'Selfie' Creator Holds Cease and Desist Letter in Front of Traffic Cam

Traffic Cam Photobooth lets you take a capture from NYC surveillance camera. The city's Department of Transportation does not like that.

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}

Pornhub's Year in Review report for 2024 reveals a search for something very mindful, and very demure.

Pornhubx27;s Year in Review report for 2024 reveals a search for something very mindful, and very demure.#pornhub #AIPorn

Pornhub Sees Surge of Interest in Tradewife Content, ‘Modesty,’ and Mindfulness

Pornhub's Year in Review report for 2024 reveals a search for something very mindful, and very demure.

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}

404 Media's reporting on an internal Google privacy violation database has been subpoenaed by the State of Texas. We are fighting it.

404 Mediax27;s reporting on an internal Google privacy violation database has been subpoenaed by the State of Texas. We are fighting it.#Announcements

404 Media Objects to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's Subpoena to Access Our Reporting

404 Media's reporting on an internal Google privacy violation database has been subpoenaed by the State of Texas. We are fighting it.

^{Jason Koebler (404 Media)}

While Reddit mods and admin try to keep up with the site's "no violence" terms of use, Facebook and LinkedIn is reacting with tens of thousands of laughing emojis.

While Reddit mods and admin try to keep up with the sitex27;s "no violence" terms of use, Facebook and LinkedIn is reacting with tens of thousands of laughing emojis.

Moderators Across Social Media Struggle to Contain Celebrations of UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Assassination

While Reddit mods and admin try to keep up with the site's "no violence" terms of use, Facebook and LinkedIn is reacting with tens of thousands of laughing emojis.

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}

A new proposed rule change from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) could curtail the sale of American's personal data. That's if the agency survives the Trump presidency.

A new proposed rule change from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) could curtail the sale of Americanx27;s personal data. Thatx27;s if the agency survives the Trump presidency.#News

U.S. Government Tries to Stop Data Brokers That Help Dox People Through Credit Data

A new proposed rule change from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) could curtail the sale of American's personal data. That's if the agency survives the Trump presidency.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

Stake is an online casino and sportsbook that's using watermarks on viral meme accounts to advertise on social media. But it goes deeper than that.

Stake is an online casino and sportsbook thatx27;s using watermarks on viral meme accounts to advertise on social media. But it goes deeper than that.#advertising #stake #Twitter

WTF Is Stake, the Online Casino Using Viral Posts to Advertise Its Gambling Site

Stake is an online casino and sportsbook that's using watermarks on viral meme accounts to advertise on social media. But it goes deeper than that.

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}

We chat Buzzfeed's AI-powered ads, a big Graykey leak, and the wave of publishers making deals with AI companies.

We chat Buzzfeedx27;s AI-powered ads, a big Graykey leak, and the wave of publishers making deals with AI companies.#Podcast

Podcast: Buzzfeed's AI Ads Are a Disaster

We chat Buzzfeed's AI-powered ads, a big Graykey leak, and the wave of publishers making deals with AI companies.

^{Joseph Cox (404 Media)}

The non-profit, university press asked its authors for input on how they'd prefer to see any hypothetical AI training deals handled, and plans to base future decisions on what they say, MIT Press told 404 Media.

The non-profit, university press asked its authors for input on how theyx27;d prefer to see any hypothetical AI training deals handled, and plans to base future decisions on what they say, MIT Press told 404 Media.#AI #llms #mitpress #publishing

AI Companies Are Trying to Get MIT Press Books

The non-profit, university press asked its authors for input on how they'd prefer to see any hypothetical AI training deals handled, and plans to base future decisions on what they say, MIT Press told 404 Media.

^{Samantha Cole (404 Media)}