AI
Romance Authors Riled by 'From Meet-Bot to AI-Do' Writing Workshop
A chapter of the Romance Writers of America organization planned a program called “From Meet-Bot to AI-Do: Crafting Romances in the Realm of AI," but it's since been scrubbed from the site after backlash from authors.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: VICE’s Legacy and the Idea That ‘The Internet Is Forever’
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 reflect on VICE's legacy, archiving, and whether the internet is really forever.
Security
Do Spencer’s Vibrators Have Malware on Them? An Investigation
We tested the vibrator that a Spencer's customer claims almost gave their computer malware.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Personality Tests, First Jobs, and ‘Profitability’
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 talk about our first jobs, personality tests, and what it means to be "profitable."
China
Leaked Emails Show Hugo Awards Self-Censoring to Appease China
“...if the work focuses on China, taiwan, tibet, or other topics that may be an issue *in* China...that needs to be highlighted so that we can determine if it is safe to put it on the ballot," one email said.
lawsuits
Woman Sues Sex Toy Retailer Adam and Eve, Claims It Shared Data About Her Dildos
Sex toy retailer Adam and Eve is being accused of violating an invasion of privacy law, with its accuser claiming that it told Google she was looking at listings for “Kingcock Strap-on Harness With 8-Inch Dildo” and showed that she added a “Pink Jelly Slim Dildo” to her cart.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Not Safe for Whose Work?
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 talk about looking at NSFW stuff in offices and Indonesian cafes and adding KYC to your KYC.
payment processors
Stripe Cuts Off Platform Used by Dominatrixes
Stripe gets even more anti-sex by kicking off wishlist platform Wishtender, while AI porn sites, which are also against the payment processor's rules, are still using it.
AI
‘DignifAI:’ 4chan Is Editing Pictures to Clothe Women
The inverse of "nudifying" apps, people are putting clothing on women they deem "undignified."
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Social Media's ‘IDGAF Era’ and Weather Clout Chasers
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 social media companies being in their “IDGAF Era" and a viral thread about California's ARkStorm.
AI
The Taylor Swift Deepfakes Disaster Threatens to Change the Internet As We Know It
Deepfakes and AI-generated nonconsensual sexual imagery have been a problem for a long time. But with the resurgence of attention on them, we're facing a reckoning.
Man Who Sued 'Are We Dating the Same Guy?' Groups Files Class Action Lawsuit
Nikko D'Ambrosio of Illinois had his first case dismissed, and refiled as a class action that seeks other guys who feel harmed by "red flags or tea?" dating groups.