News
FTC Bans Location Data Company That Powers the Surveillance Ecosystem
Venntel is a primary provider of location data to the government or other companies that sell to U.S. agencies. The FTC is banning Venntel from selling data related to health clinics, refugee shelters, and much more.
Podcast
Podcast: An Elon Musk-Funded PAC Is Running a Democrat Impersonation Campaign
The latest expansion of an Elon Musk-funded super PAC; how New York's largest hospital system is using AI; and how Epic Games' control over the 3D model market could "destroy" cultural heritage.
Disney
Fired Employee Allegedly Hacked Disney World's Menu System to Alter Peanut Allergy Information
The employee separately changed all menu text to Wingdings, the complaint says.
News
Why the US General In Charge of Nuclear Weapons Said He Needs AI
Air Force General Anthony J. Cotton said that the US is developing AI tools to help leaders respond to ‘time sensitive scenarios.’
Progress 2028
Elon Musk-Funded PAC Supercharges ‘Progress 2028’ Democrat Impersonation Ad Campaign
An Elon Musk-funded PAC is targeting Republicans with ads that depict a fever-dream caricature of what Harris would do if elected president.
AI
Leaked Training Shows How Doctors in New York’s Biggest Hospital System Are Using AI
At Northwell Health, executives are encouraging clinicians and all 85,000 employees to use a tool called AI Hub, according to a presentation obtained by 404 Media.
News
Scientists and Archivists Worry Epic Games’ Control of the 3D Model Market Will ‘Destroy’ Cultural Heritage
Sketchfab users who champion open access are worried that Epic Games’ ownership and transition to Fab puts thousands of 3D models used for science and preservation at risk.
News
Who’s this Medieval Dead Guy at the Bottom of a Castle Well?
This week, we toast to the saga of the Well-man, tip a hat to the tardigrades, catch a contest of eyestalks, and observe gorilla democracy in action.
Podcast
Podcast: How Politician Turned Advocate Susanna Gibson Battles Non-Consensual Imagery
The former candidate for Virginia House of Delegates Susanna Gibson on how she went from full-time nurse, to running for office, to being targeted by non-consensual intimate imagery and harassment—and how her new model legislation and nonprofit are focused on helping other victims of NCII.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Perverse Virality
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 going viral, what we're watching lately, and a trip to Best Buy.
Car Repair
It Is Now Legal to Hack McFlurry Machines (and Medical Devices) to Fix Them
A new federal rule makes it legal to bypass software locks on commercial food equipment for the purposes of repair.
Redbox
Redbox's Last DVD: 'Twister' Is Unrentable in Remaining Redbox Kiosks and No One Knows Why
Twister was one of the first DVDs ever released. Now it's stuck in still-functioning Redbox machines.
Chinese T-Shirt Maker Flooded Facebook with Ads Promising to Donate Money to Harris, Trump, SuperPACs
The company is selling Kamala Harris and Donald Trump merch, and falsely promising to donate proceeds from the sales to the campaigns and other political causes.