Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: We Have Recommendations For You
This week, we discuss our recommendations for the year.
CBP
Man Charged for Wiping Phone Before CBP Could Search It
The exact circumstances around the search are not known. But activist Samuel Tunick is charged with deleting data from a Google Pixel before CBP’s Tactical Terrorism Response Team could search it.
CBP
Border Patrol Agent Recorded Raid with Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
New videos and photos shared with 404 Media show a Border Patrol agent wearing Meta Ray-Bans glasses with the recording light clearly on. This is despite a DHS ban on officers recording with personal devices.
Announcements
404 Media Is Making a Zine
We are publishing a risograph-printed zine about the surveillance technologies used by ICE.
Podcast
Podcast: Why AI Porn Sucks (with Noelle Perdue)
Noelle and Sam discuss everything from sexbots and AI porn to censorship, age verification legislation, and their favorite parody porn flicks.
ICE
ICEBlock Creator Sues U.S. Government Over App’s Removal
The Department of Justice demanded Apple remove ICEBlock, which reports sightings of ICE officials, from its App Store. Now the creator is suing, saying the demand violated his First Amendment rights.
The Abstract
An Asteroid Threatening Earth Is Teeming With Ingredients for Life, Scientists Discover
Scientists found sugars that are essential for life on asteroid Bennu, which has a 1 in 2,700 chance of hitting Earth in 2182.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Hearing AI Voices and 'Undervolting'
This week, we discuss PC woes, voice deepfakes, and mutual aid.
ICE
DHS’s Immigrant-Hunting App Removed from Google Play Store
The app, called Mobile Identify, was launched in November, and lets local cops use facial recognition to hunt immigrants on behalf of ICE. It is unclear if the removal is temporary or not.
News
Kohler's Smart Toilet Camera Not Actually End-to-End Encrypted
Gives new meaning to the 'internet of shit.'
The Abstract
Scientists Are Increasingly Worried AI Will Sway Elections
AI models can meaningfully sway voters on candidates and issues, including by using misinformation, and they are also evading detection in public surveys according to three new studies.
News
‘Atoms for Algorithms:’ The Trump Administration’s Top Nuclear Scientists Think AI Can Replace Humans in Power Plants
A presentation at the International Atomic Energy Agency unveiled Big Tech’s vision of an AI and nuclear fueled future.
ChatGPT
ChatGPT Told a Violent Stalker to Embrace the 'Haters,' Indictment Says
A newly filed indictment claims a wannabe influencer used ChatGPT as his "therapist" and "best friend" in his pursuit of the "wife type," while harassing women so aggressively they had to miss work and relocate from their homes.