404 Media
@404media.co
it's a website (and a podcast, and a newsletter) about humans and technology, made by four journalists you might already know. like and subscribe: 404media.co
Meta thinks its camera glasses, which are often used for harassment, are no different than any other camera.
Here's 404 Media's guide to the PR team at Meta:
www.404media.co/whats-the-di...
Here's 404 Media's guide to the PR team at Meta:
www.404media.co/whats-the-di...
What’s the Difference Between AI Glasses and an iPhone? A Helpful Guide for Meta PR
Meta thinks its camera glasses, which are often used for harassment, are no different than any other camera.
www.404media.co
December 26, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Meta thinks its camera glasses, which are often used for harassment, are no different than any other camera.
Here's 404 Media's guide to the PR team at Meta:
www.404media.co/whats-the-di...
Here's 404 Media's guide to the PR team at Meta:
www.404media.co/whats-the-di...
“Everything I say leaks. And it sucks, right?,” Zuckerberg said at a Meta all-hands meeting this year.
This came after Meta's $25 million settlement with Trump and the company agreeing to pay $22 million for the Trump Presidential Library. From January:
www.404media.co/zuckerberg-s...
This came after Meta's $25 million settlement with Trump and the company agreeing to pay $22 million for the Trump Presidential Library. From January:
www.404media.co/zuckerberg-s...
'Everything I Say Leaks,' Zuckerberg Says in Leaked Meeting Audio
"There are a bunch of things that I think are value-destroying for me to talk about, so I’m not going to talk about those."
www.404media.co
December 25, 2025 at 11:30 PM
“Everything I say leaks. And it sucks, right?,” Zuckerberg said at a Meta all-hands meeting this year.
This came after Meta's $25 million settlement with Trump and the company agreeing to pay $22 million for the Trump Presidential Library. From January:
www.404media.co/zuckerberg-s...
This came after Meta's $25 million settlement with Trump and the company agreeing to pay $22 million for the Trump Presidential Library. From January:
www.404media.co/zuckerberg-s...
Things can feel hopeless but this year, people fought back. Here's how the town of Ypsilanti, Michigan is taking on the construction of a 'high-performance computing facility' that would service a nuclear weapons laboratory 1,500 miles away.
www.404media.co/a-small-town...
www.404media.co/a-small-town...
A Small Town Is Fighting a $1.2 Billion AI Datacenter for America's Nuclear Weapon Scientists
Ypsilanti, Michigan has officially decided to fight against the construction of a 'high-performance computing facility' that would service a nuclear weapons laboratory 1,500 miles away.
www.404media.co
December 25, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Things can feel hopeless but this year, people fought back. Here's how the town of Ypsilanti, Michigan is taking on the construction of a 'high-performance computing facility' that would service a nuclear weapons laboratory 1,500 miles away.
www.404media.co/a-small-town...
www.404media.co/a-small-town...
Trump has found an aesthetic to define his second term: grotesque AI slop.
www.404media.co/the-ai-slop-...
www.404media.co/the-ai-slop-...
The AI Slop Presidency
AI-generated outrage bait is the perfect artistic medium for a president who rules by trying to overwhelm the system.
www.404media.co
December 25, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Trump has found an aesthetic to define his second term: grotesque AI slop.
www.404media.co/the-ai-slop-...
www.404media.co/the-ai-slop-...
I am starting to think I will never receive my horny novelty holiday decorations.
When Will My Pornographic Shrek Christmas Ornament Arrive?
I am starting to think I will never receive my horny novelty holiday decorations.
www.404media.co
December 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I am starting to think I will never receive my horny novelty holiday decorations.
More than two miles under the Greenland Sea, tubeworms, snails, crustaceans, and microbes live on gas hydrate seeps that leak crude oil and methane.
In the Dark Arctic Deep, Scientists Find a Hidden Oasis of Strange Life
More than two miles under the Greenland Sea, tubeworms, snails, crustaceans, and microbes live on gas hydrate seeps that leak crude oil and methane.
www.404media.co
December 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
More than two miles under the Greenland Sea, tubeworms, snails, crustaceans, and microbes live on gas hydrate seeps that leak crude oil and methane.
Throwback to last month when government 'Shutdown Guidance' for the US Army Garrison Bavaria initially included instructions to go to German food banks.
www.404media.co/army-tells-s...
www.404media.co/army-tells-s...
US Army Tells Soldiers to Go to German Food Bank, Then Deletes It
The initial 'Shutdown Guidance' for the US Army Garrison Bavaria included instructions to go to German food banks.
www.404media.co
December 25, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Throwback to last month when government 'Shutdown Guidance' for the US Army Garrison Bavaria initially included instructions to go to German food banks.
www.404media.co/army-tells-s...
www.404media.co/army-tells-s...
Reposted by 404 Media
for your holiday reading pleasure:
i wrote about why i’m getting back into tapes, and what we’ve lost by letting ourselves get addicted to platforms built around surveillance and instant gratification. 🎶 @404media.co
i wrote about why i’m getting back into tapes, and what we’ve lost by letting ourselves get addicted to platforms built around surveillance and instant gratification. 🎶 @404media.co
Why I Quit Streaming And Got Back Into Cassettes
In the age of Spotify and AI slop, tapes remind us what we’re missing when we stop taking risks.
www.404media.co
December 24, 2025 at 2:43 PM
for your holiday reading pleasure:
i wrote about why i’m getting back into tapes, and what we’ve lost by letting ourselves get addicted to platforms built around surveillance and instant gratification. 🎶 @404media.co
i wrote about why i’m getting back into tapes, and what we’ve lost by letting ourselves get addicted to platforms built around surveillance and instant gratification. 🎶 @404media.co
9 days after Inauguration Day, 404 Media wrote about how this declassified World War II-era government guide to sabotaging fascism became one of the most popular open source books on the internet.
One of our top stories this year: www.404media.co/declassified...
One of our top stories this year: www.404media.co/declassified...
Declassified CIA Guide to Sabotaging Fascism Is Suddenly Viral
The World War II-era "Simple Sabotage Field Manual" is full of steps that office workers can take to resist leadership.
www.404media.co
December 24, 2025 at 4:02 PM
9 days after Inauguration Day, 404 Media wrote about how this declassified World War II-era government guide to sabotaging fascism became one of the most popular open source books on the internet.
One of our top stories this year: www.404media.co/declassified...
One of our top stories this year: www.404media.co/declassified...
How we tracked ourselves with exposed Flock cameras; a year in review; and our personal recommendations on all sorts of things.
Podcast: We Tracked Ourselves with Exposed Flock Cameras
How we tracked ourselves with exposed Flock cameras; a year in review; and our personal recommendations on all sorts of things.
www.404media.co
December 24, 2025 at 2:48 PM
How we tracked ourselves with exposed Flock cameras; a year in review; and our personal recommendations on all sorts of things.
In the age of Spotify and AI slop, tapes remind us what we’re missing when we stop taking risks.
Why I Quit Streaming And Got Back Into Cassettes
In the age of Spotify and AI slop, tapes remind us what we’re missing when we stop taking risks.
www.404media.co
December 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
In the age of Spotify and AI slop, tapes remind us what we’re missing when we stop taking risks.
When users confronted the exec with their concerns, he brushed them off, said he would not submit to mob rule, and explained that AIs have emotions and that tech firms were working to create a new form of sentience. www.404media.co/anthropic-ex...
Anthropic Exec Forces AI Chatbot on Gay Discord Community, Members Flee
“We’re bringing a new kind of sentience into existence,” Anthropic's Jason Clinton said after launching the bot.
www.404media.co
December 24, 2025 at 1:45 AM
When users confronted the exec with their concerns, he brushed them off, said he would not submit to mob rule, and explained that AIs have emotions and that tech firms were working to create a new form of sentience. www.404media.co/anthropic-ex...
There are so many levels to this embarrassment—the Coldplay of it all, the HR violation occurring on jumbotron, etc—that one could likely write a doctoral dissertation on this 15 second video. But here's what it says about the future of surveillance: www.404media.co/the-astronom...
The Astronomer CEO's Coldplay Concert Fiasco Is Emblematic of Our Social Media Surveillance Dystopia
Facial recognition and crowdsourced social media investigations are constantly being used not just on cringe CEOs, but on random people who are simply existing in public.
www.404media.co
December 24, 2025 at 1:00 AM
There are so many levels to this embarrassment—the Coldplay of it all, the HR violation occurring on jumbotron, etc—that one could likely write a doctoral dissertation on this 15 second video. But here's what it says about the future of surveillance: www.404media.co/the-astronom...
This year marked the first time the AI avatar of a victim—in this case, a dead man—has ever addressed a court, and it raises many questions about the use of this type of technology in future court proceedings.
www.404media.co/i-loved-that...
www.404media.co/i-loved-that...
'I Loved That AI:' Judge Moved by AI-Generated Avatar of Man Killed in Road Rage Incident
How the sister of Christopher Pelkey made an avatar of him to testify in court.
www.404media.co
December 23, 2025 at 11:00 PM
This year marked the first time the AI avatar of a victim—in this case, a dead man—has ever addressed a court, and it raises many questions about the use of this type of technology in future court proceedings.
www.404media.co/i-loved-that...
www.404media.co/i-loved-that...
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable group.
Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation Effort
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable gr...
www.404media.co
December 23, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable group.
Reposted by 404 Media
There are a lot more stories I'm proud of this year, but I'm mostly proud to be publishing them at 404 Media, where we've accomplished so much in just 2.5 years it makes my head spin.
Whether you're a day one supporter or a new friend, thank you. Help spread the word: www.404media.co/membership/
Whether you're a day one supporter or a new friend, thank you. Help spread the word: www.404media.co/membership/
Membership
404 Media is an independent media company founded by technology journalists Jason Koebler, Emanuel Maiberg, Samantha Cole, and Joseph Cox.
www.404media.co
December 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
There are a lot more stories I'm proud of this year, but I'm mostly proud to be publishing them at 404 Media, where we've accomplished so much in just 2.5 years it makes my head spin.
Whether you're a day one supporter or a new friend, thank you. Help spread the word: www.404media.co/membership/
Whether you're a day one supporter or a new friend, thank you. Help spread the word: www.404media.co/membership/
Reposted by 404 Media
But my most memorable moment in reporting in 2025 was seeing a longtime sex trafficker forced to face his victims, and watching a judge send him to prison for a long time.
After following GDP for ~6 years, being present for this sentencing felt important: www.404media.co/michael-prat...
After following GDP for ~6 years, being present for this sentencing felt important: www.404media.co/michael-prat...
Michael Pratt, GirlsDoPorn Ringleader, Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison
Michael James Pratt was sentenced to federal prison on charges of sex trafficking connected to the GirlsDoPorn crime ring. “He turned my pain into profit, my life into currency,” said one victim.
www.404media.co
December 23, 2025 at 5:17 PM
But my most memorable moment in reporting in 2025 was seeing a longtime sex trafficker forced to face his victims, and watching a judge send him to prison for a long time.
After following GDP for ~6 years, being present for this sentencing felt important: www.404media.co/michael-prat...
After following GDP for ~6 years, being present for this sentencing felt important: www.404media.co/michael-prat...
Reposted by 404 Media
This (and other incredible reporting elsewhere on this topic) resulted in senators and consumer rights groups demanding Meta cut it the fuck out: www.404media.co/senators-let...
Senators Demand Meta Answer For AI Chatbots Posing as Licensed Therapists
Exclusive: Following 404 Media’s investigation into Meta's AI Studio chatbots that pose as therapists and provided license numbers and credentials, four senators urged Meta to limit "blatant deception...
www.404media.co
December 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
This (and other incredible reporting elsewhere on this topic) resulted in senators and consumer rights groups demanding Meta cut it the fuck out: www.404media.co/senators-let...
Reposted by 404 Media
With a world like this, it might stand to reason that people need therapy. And a LOT of people get it from chatbots.
I broke the story about Meta's "AI therapist" chatbots faking licenses and degrees to keep vulnerable people talking at any cost: www.404media.co/instagram-ai...
I broke the story about Meta's "AI therapist" chatbots faking licenses and degrees to keep vulnerable people talking at any cost: www.404media.co/instagram-ai...
Instagram's AI Chatbots Lie About Being Licensed Therapists
When pushed for credentials, Instagram's user-made AI Studio bots will make up license numbers, practices, and education to try to convince you it's qualified to help with your mental health.
www.404media.co
December 23, 2025 at 5:11 PM
With a world like this, it might stand to reason that people need therapy. And a LOT of people get it from chatbots.
I broke the story about Meta's "AI therapist" chatbots faking licenses and degrees to keep vulnerable people talking at any cost: www.404media.co/instagram-ai...
I broke the story about Meta's "AI therapist" chatbots faking licenses and degrees to keep vulnerable people talking at any cost: www.404media.co/instagram-ai...
Reposted by 404 Media
These and other laws made me wonder: How the hell are these lawmakers planning to enforce something like "intent to arouse" when horny yolk-popping videos exist?
I tried to unpack the question, with the help of legal experts, and arrived at the "Egg Yolk Principle" www.404media.co/egg-yolk-pop...
I tried to unpack the question, with the help of legal experts, and arrived at the "Egg Yolk Principle" www.404media.co/egg-yolk-pop...
December 23, 2025 at 5:08 PM
These and other laws made me wonder: How the hell are these lawmakers planning to enforce something like "intent to arouse" when horny yolk-popping videos exist?
I tried to unpack the question, with the help of legal experts, and arrived at the "Egg Yolk Principle" www.404media.co/egg-yolk-pop...
I tried to unpack the question, with the help of legal experts, and arrived at the "Egg Yolk Principle" www.404media.co/egg-yolk-pop...
Reposted by 404 Media
My very first post this year was on Pornhub blocking access to almost all of the south in response to age verification laws: bit.ly/3MOFzap
Now we're at 1/2 of all states.
The creep (sprint?) of AV in the US has been chilling to follow; read all our AV stories here: www.404media.co/tag/age-veri...
Now we're at 1/2 of all states.
The creep (sprint?) of AV in the US has been chilling to follow; read all our AV stories here: www.404media.co/tag/age-veri...
Half of the US Now Requires You to Upload Your ID or Scan Your Face to Watch Porn
Missouri’s age verification law, enacted on November 30, is the halfway mark for the sweep of age verification laws across the country.
www.404media.co
December 23, 2025 at 5:04 PM
My very first post this year was on Pornhub blocking access to almost all of the south in response to age verification laws: bit.ly/3MOFzap
Now we're at 1/2 of all states.
The creep (sprint?) of AV in the US has been chilling to follow; read all our AV stories here: www.404media.co/tag/age-veri...
Now we're at 1/2 of all states.
The creep (sprint?) of AV in the US has been chilling to follow; read all our AV stories here: www.404media.co/tag/age-veri...
Reposted by 404 Media
404 Media is about to enter energy saver mode. We're still publishing throughout the week, however, so watch your inbox / RSS / the @404media.co feed and you won't miss us too badly.
Before we all slip into the ether, I wanted to highlight a few stories I published this year that stuck out. 🧵🪡
Before we all slip into the ether, I wanted to highlight a few stories I published this year that stuck out. 🧵🪡
December 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
404 Media is about to enter energy saver mode. We're still publishing throughout the week, however, so watch your inbox / RSS / the @404media.co feed and you won't miss us too badly.
Before we all slip into the ether, I wanted to highlight a few stories I published this year that stuck out. 🧵🪡
Before we all slip into the ether, I wanted to highlight a few stories I published this year that stuck out. 🧵🪡
Are big newsrooms getting better at crediting independent journalists?
@jasonkoebler.bsky.social compares notes with @marisakabas.bsky.social, founder of thehandbasket.co, on landing huge scoops as indie journalists and dealing with mainstream media.
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e73s...
@jasonkoebler.bsky.social compares notes with @marisakabas.bsky.social, founder of thehandbasket.co, on landing huge scoops as indie journalists and dealing with mainstream media.
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e73s...
December 23, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Are big newsrooms getting better at crediting independent journalists?
@jasonkoebler.bsky.social compares notes with @marisakabas.bsky.social, founder of thehandbasket.co, on landing huge scoops as indie journalists and dealing with mainstream media.
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e73s...
@jasonkoebler.bsky.social compares notes with @marisakabas.bsky.social, founder of thehandbasket.co, on landing huge scoops as indie journalists and dealing with mainstream media.
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e73s...
Reposted by 404 Media
Multiple social media users noticed on Monday that the 60 Minutes episode was available via the Global TV app. To view the episode, viewers need to connect to the app from a Canadian IP address.
People then uploaded copies of the episode to a variety of file sharing sites and services.
People then uploaded copies of the episode to a variety of file sharing sites and services.
Archivists Posted the 60 Minutes CECOT Segment Bari Weiss Killed
iCloud, Mega, and as a torrent. Archivists have uploaded the 60 Minutes episode Bari Weiss spiked.
www.404media.co
December 23, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Multiple social media users noticed on Monday that the 60 Minutes episode was available via the Global TV app. To view the episode, viewers need to connect to the app from a Canadian IP address.
People then uploaded copies of the episode to a variety of file sharing sites and services.
People then uploaded copies of the episode to a variety of file sharing sites and services.