Jason Koebler

Jason Koebler

Jason is a cofounder of 404 Media. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Motherboard. He loves the Freedom of Information Act and surfing.
457 posts
Pentagon Asks Its Civilian Employees If They Want to Work for ICE
Immigration

Pentagon Asks Its Civilian Employees If They Want to Work for ICE

The Department of Defense asks its civilian workers to apply for a "volunteer force" to support ICE that may involve working under "austere conditions.
Chinese Livestreaming 'Virtual Human' Salespeople Are Outselling Their Human Counterparts
wired

Chinese Livestreaming 'Virtual Human' Salespeople Are Outselling Their Human Counterparts

Built using AI technology from Baidu and DeepSeek, these virtual livestreamers sell everything from wet wipes to printers and work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Behind the Blog: Exercises in OSINT and Storage Pains
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: Exercises in OSINT and Storage Pains

This week, we discuss OSINT for chat groups, Russell Crowe films, and storage problems.
Trump Administration Outlines Plan to Throw Out an Agency's FOIA Requests En Masse
FOIA

Trump Administration Outlines Plan to Throw Out an Agency's FOIA Requests En Masse

The Department of Energy said it will close FOIA requests from last year unless the requester emails the agency to say they are still interested. Experts say it's an "attempt to close out as many FOIA requests as possible."
ICE Propaganda Video That Used Jay-Z Song Hit With Copyright Takedown
Immigration

ICE Propaganda Video That Used Jay-Z Song Hit With Copyright Takedown

A DHS sizzle reel that used "Public Service Announcement" got hit with a copyright takedown request and has been deleted off of X.
Feds Used Local Cop's Password to Do Immigration Surveillance With Flock Cameras
Flock

Feds Used Local Cop's Password to Do Immigration Surveillance With Flock Cameras

A DEA agent used a local cop's password "for federal investigations in late January 2025 without [the cop's] knowledge of said use."
Behind the Blog: Speculation, Distraction, and Smart Glasses
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: Speculation, Distraction, and Smart Glasses

This week, we discuss Wikipedia's ethos and zooming in on a lot of pictures of cops' glasses.
A CBP Agent Wore Meta Smart Glasses to an Immigration Raid in Los Angeles
CBP

A CBP Agent Wore Meta Smart Glasses to an Immigration Raid in Los Angeles

Video obtained and verified by 404 Media shows a CBP official wearing Meta's AI glasses, which are capable of recording and connecting with AI. “I think it should be seen in the context of an agency that is really encouraging its agents to actively intimidate and terrorize people," one expert said.
Home Depot and Lowe's Share Data From Hundreds of AI Cameras With Cops
Flock

Home Depot and Lowe's Share Data From Hundreds of AI Cameras With Cops

Home improvement stores are finding ways to share data from their Flock license plate reader cameras with law enforcement, according to public records.
Apple Is Selling iPad Repair Parts for Astronomical Prices
News

Apple Is Selling iPad Repair Parts for Astronomical Prices

“I believe Apple is charging this because they know if the price is high enough no one will buy it."
Meta Is Going to Let Job Candidates Use AI During Coding Tests
Meta

Meta Is Going to Let Job Candidates Use AI During Coding Tests

"This is more representative of the developer environment that our future employees will work in."
Behind the Blog: Don't Record Me, Bro
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: Don't Record Me, Bro

This week, we discuss smart glasses for frat bros, Amazon comms messiness, and more.