Impact
Impact: FTC Stops Data Broker X-Mode Selling Sensitive Location Data
Years ago I revealed a data broker was harvesting location data from Muslim prayer and dating apps. The FTC has now banned X-Mode from selling location data related to places of worship and other sensitive locations including family planning facilities.
Podcast
Podcast: Deepfaked Celeb Scam Ads Are All Over YouTube
This week we've got deepfaked celebrities; bizarre FOIA responses; and hackers popping trains.
News
Sealed Indictment Shows Case Against Hacker Behind Massive T-Mobile Data Breach
A sealed indictment obtained by 404 Media describes the case against John Binns, who allegedly hacked into T-Mobile, stole 40 million user records, and then sold them.
News
Inside a $20 Million Coinbase Phishing Ring
404 Media spoke to a victim of a hacking ring the Secret Service believes stole millions of dollars by setting up fake Coinbase login pages.
News
Google Contractor Pays Parents $50 to Scan Their Childrens' Faces
Google is having parents film their children wearing hats and sunglasses, with the collected data to include eyelid shape and skin tone.
Podcast
Podcast: Inside a $7 Million Airbnb Scam
On this week's episode of the 404 Media Podcast, we go into a massive, nationwide Airbnb scam; talk about Pornhub cutting off access to Montana and North Carolina; and finish up with the death of Wickr.
News
Wickr Is Dead
The app was a privacy-championing startup, before becoming an app of choice for drug traffickers and being acquired by Amazon Web Services. Near the stroke of midnight on December 31, 2023, AWS shut down the free version of Wickr for good.
News
Real Estate ‘Visionary’ Allegedly Behind Massive, Viral Airbnb Fraud Charged
Shray Goel allegedly duped guests to properties that didn’t exist and then refused to issue refunds. Years after a media report outed his scheme, authorities caught up with Goel last month.
Podcast
Podcast: These Companies Say They're Using Microphone Audio to Target Ads
On this week's episode we discuss how marketers might actually be listening to conversations through smart devices. Here's everything we know.
News
Verizon Gave Her Data to a Stalker. ‘This Has Completely Changed My Life’
A stalker haphazardly posing as a cop demanded sensitive data from Verizon. Verizon complied, and the stalker drove to an address armed with a knife. 404 Media spoke to the victim.
AI
Company Brags About Using Smart Device Microphone Audio to Target Ads on Their Podcast
MindSift is the tiny company that says it’s using device microphone data to target ads.
News
Marketing Company Claims That It Actually Is Listening to Your Phone and Smart Speakers to Target Ads
“What would it mean for your business if you could target potential clients who are actively discussing their need for your services in their day-to-day conversations? No, it's not a Black Mirror episode—it's Voice Data, and CMG has the capabilities to use it to your business advantage.”