News
'Unauthorized' Edit to Ukraine's Frontline Maps Point to Polymarket's War Betting
It looks like someone invented a fake Russia advance in Ukraine to manipulate online gambling markets.
News
The Last Video Rental Store Is Your Public Library
Audio-visual librarians are quietly amassing large physical media collections amid the IP disputes threatening select availability.
Podcast
This Podcast Will Hack You
Something very strange is happening on Apple Podcasts; someone seemingly changed a map of the Ukraine war in connection with a betting site; and now half of the U.S. requires a face or ID scan to watch porn.
age verification
Half of the US Now Requires You to Upload Your ID or Scan Your Face to Watch Porn
Missouri’s age verification law, enacted on November 30, is the halfway mark for the sweep of age verification laws across the country.
News
'Unauthorized' Edit to Ukraine's Frontline Maps Point to Polymarket's War Betting
It looks like someone invented a fake Russia advance in Ukraine to manipulate online gambling markets.
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Podcast
Inside the Biggest Sting Operation Ever (with Michael Bobbitt)
Joseph talks to a former FBI official about how the FBI secretly ran an encrypted phone for organized criminals, sweeping up tens of millions of messages.
Flock
Flock Uses Overseas Gig Workers to Build its Surveillance AI
Flock accidentally exposed training materials and a panel which tracked what its AI annotators were working on. It showed that Flock, which has cameras in thousands of U.S. communities, is using workers in the Philippines to review and classify footage.
The Abstract
Being Famous Can Shorten Your Lifespan, Scientists Find
Scientists found that major celebrities died four years earlier than their less famous peers, hinting that fame itself can be a mortality risk.
Apple
Someone Is Trying to ‘Hack’ People Through Apple Podcasts
For months Apple Podcasts has been randomly opening spirituality and religion podcasts by itself, and in one case directing listeners to a potentially malicious website.
The Abstract
A Lone Astronomer Has Reported a Dark Matter ‘Annihilation’ Breakthrough
“It was like playing the lottery,” said astronomer Tomonori Totani, adding that he hopes other scientists will verify the possible detection of a new dark matter signature.
AI Slop
'Slop Evader' Lets You Surf the Web Like It’s 2022
Artist Tega Brain is fighting the internet’s enshittification by turning back the clock to before ChatGPT existed.
Podcast
Podcast: A Massive Breach Reveals the Truth Behind 'Secret Desires AI'
A breach shows people are making AI porn of ordinary people at scale; X exposes the location of its biggest MAGA grifters; and how we contributed to the shut down of a warrantless surveillance program.