Karissa Bell
@karissabe.bsky.social
Senior reporter 🗒️ for Engadget, covering social media. Say👋 at karissa.bell@engadget.com or on Signal: karissabe.51 DMs open.
Pinned
How an Oregon court became the stage for a $115,000 showdown between Meta and Facebook creators
One Facebook creator has filed dozens of small claims lawsuits against in an attempt to fight the company's "broken" payments system.
www.engadget.com
👋 Here’s one I’ve been working on for a very long time: its about the business of viral Facebook content, Meta’s (often lack of) support for creators, and one man’s creative legal strategy to get the company’s help.
Bluesky! Help me find a home for our beautiful, sweet foster kitty Leon. He’s a very chill 1 year old boy who loves attention and is great with other cats. Looking for his forever home now in and around San Francisco.
More info ⬇️
www.adoptapet.com/pet/46272597...
More info ⬇️
www.adoptapet.com/pet/46272597...
November 10, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Bluesky! Help me find a home for our beautiful, sweet foster kitty Leon. He’s a very chill 1 year old boy who loves attention and is great with other cats. Looking for his forever home now in and around San Francisco.
More info ⬇️
www.adoptapet.com/pet/46272597...
More info ⬇️
www.adoptapet.com/pet/46272597...
idk sounds suspiciously like a participation trophy 👀
Trump ally Infantino to award first Fifa Peace Prize at World Cup draw in DC
Fifa unveils a new Peace Prize to be awarded at the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, citing a mission to honor efforts to end conflict
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:57 AM
idk sounds suspiciously like a participation trophy 👀
As an OG Foursquare fan, I'm reallyyy intrigued by this new project from @dens.nyc ... it also reminds me a bit of the very-much under-appreciated Foursquare app Marsbot which also attempted proactive recommendations (and was low-key one of my fave ways to find places to eat when I was traveling)
The Foursquare founder's new app is an AI-powered 'DJ' for neighborhood updates
Foursquare founder Dennis Crowley has unveiled his latest venture and yes, it's another location-based social app: an AI-powered "DJ" called BeeBot.
www.engadget.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:45 PM
As an OG Foursquare fan, I'm reallyyy intrigued by this new project from @dens.nyc ... it also reminds me a bit of the very-much under-appreciated Foursquare app Marsbot which also attempted proactive recommendations (and was low-key one of my fave ways to find places to eat when I was traveling)
Scientific journals have been inundated by AI slop too (via letters to the editors) ... this article ends with "no one knows what to do" about this but seems like a cursory vetting process would weed out a lot of these? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/s...
The Editor Got a Letter From ‘Dr. B.S.’ So Did a Lot of Other Editors.
www.nytimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Scientific journals have been inundated by AI slop too (via letters to the editors) ... this article ends with "no one knows what to do" about this but seems like a cursory vetting process would weed out a lot of these? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/s...
A good PSA and a reminder we still don't have a national data privacy law
When you book a flight through major travel sites, a data broker owned by U.S. airlines will sell details about your flight—your name, credit card used, and where you’re flying to the government.
We found out how to opt-out of ARC selling your travel data. A guide:
www.404media.co/how-to-opt-o...
We found out how to opt-out of ARC selling your travel data. A guide:
www.404media.co/how-to-opt-o...
How to Opt-Out of Airlines Selling Your Travel Data to the Government
The Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), owned by major U.S. airlines, collects billions of ticketing records and sells them to the government to be searched without a warrant. I managed to opt-out…
www.404media.co
November 4, 2025 at 6:20 PM
A good PSA and a reminder we still don't have a national data privacy law
The Onion (as usual) doesn't miss
In Memoriam:
Cheney Haunted By People He Didn't Manage To Kill In Iraq War
Cheney Haunted By People He Didn't Manage To Kill In Iraq War
November 4, 2025 at 5:46 PM
The Onion (as usual) doesn't miss
There are so many crazy details in this story, but the one that has made me go "WTF" the most is when Meta's paid support told this creator (who has lived in the UK and Oregon) that his account was demonetized because his bank was based in Malta even though he banks w/ Wells Fargo.
How an Oregon court became the stage for a $115,000 showdown between Meta and Facebook creators
One Facebook creator has filed dozens of small claims lawsuits against in an attempt to fight the company's "broken" payments system.
www.engadget.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:30 PM
There are so many crazy details in this story, but the one that has made me go "WTF" the most is when Meta's paid support told this creator (who has lived in the UK and Oregon) that his account was demonetized because his bank was based in Malta even though he banks w/ Wells Fargo.
👋 Here’s one I’ve been working on for a very long time: its about the business of viral Facebook content, Meta’s (often lack of) support for creators, and one man’s creative legal strategy to get the company’s help.
How an Oregon court became the stage for a $115,000 showdown between Meta and Facebook creators
One Facebook creator has filed dozens of small claims lawsuits against in an attempt to fight the company's "broken" payments system.
www.engadget.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:06 PM
👋 Here’s one I’ve been working on for a very long time: its about the business of viral Facebook content, Meta’s (often lack of) support for creators, and one man’s creative legal strategy to get the company’s help.
not to be cryptic but I got something cooking that I’ve been working on for more than 6 months and it’s sooo close to done.. have so many tabs I’m just waiting to close
October 30, 2025 at 1:28 AM
not to be cryptic but I got something cooking that I’ve been working on for more than 6 months and it’s sooo close to done.. have so many tabs I’m just waiting to close
Unfortunately, I think this is way more common with Substack than a lot of people realize. I recently emailed a creator for a story; I never heard back but a few days later I was suddenly subscribed to her Substack. I've also heard stories of people buying email lists to pump their subs.
. @mikenellis.bsky.social has 1.3 million subscribers. One of the largest accounts on Substack. I know because I get his emails.
But there’s just one problem — I never subscribed.
So I looked into it... and I think what’s going on here is a symptom of something bigger. 🧵
But there’s just one problem — I never subscribed.
So I looked into it... and I think what’s going on here is a symptom of something bigger. 🧵
October 28, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Unfortunately, I think this is way more common with Substack than a lot of people realize. I recently emailed a creator for a story; I never heard back but a few days later I was suddenly subscribed to her Substack. I've also heard stories of people buying email lists to pump their subs.
I feel like Bluesky needs to see this extremely cute slow motion swat “fight” between my resident orange (tabby on the left) and my foster orange (large boi on the right).
These two are still trying to figure out how to be friends and occasionally just smack each other for no reason.
These two are still trying to figure out how to be friends and occasionally just smack each other for no reason.
October 27, 2025 at 9:42 PM
I feel like Bluesky needs to see this extremely cute slow motion swat “fight” between my resident orange (tabby on the left) and my foster orange (large boi on the right).
These two are still trying to figure out how to be friends and occasionally just smack each other for no reason.
These two are still trying to figure out how to be friends and occasionally just smack each other for no reason.
I've reviewed every pair of Meta glasses, I've spent a lot of time wearing them. I always feel weird using the camera in public. I try to avoid it entirely around strangers. But everyone here saying people wearing these "deserve" to be punched in the face are not it. www.404media.co/how-to-disab...
A $60 Mod to Meta’s Ray-Bans Disables Its Privacy-Protecting Recording Light
Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses usually include an LED that lights up when the user is recording other people. One hobbyist is charging a small fee to disable that light, and has a growing list of customers ar...
www.404media.co
October 23, 2025 at 6:57 PM
I've reviewed every pair of Meta glasses, I've spent a lot of time wearing them. I always feel weird using the camera in public. I try to avoid it entirely around strangers. But everyone here saying people wearing these "deserve" to be punched in the face are not it. www.404media.co/how-to-disab...
More on X's plan to sell rare and "inactive" handles, some of which might sell for millions of dollars. It includes some commentary on how there are some similarities to the expired domain marketplace and X's history of swiping user handles even when they aren't inactive
X's handle marketplace will sell some 'rare' usernames for millions of dollars
X is finally following through on its long-rumored plans to sell old user handles, and some of the most sought-after usernames could fetch millions of dollars.
www.engadget.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:59 PM
More on X's plan to sell rare and "inactive" handles, some of which might sell for millions of dollars. It includes some commentary on how there are some similarities to the expired domain marketplace and X's history of swiping user handles even when they aren't inactive
I'm an occasional Waymo rider and have generally liked it a lot, but when I read about stuff like this all I can think about is how many people I know have relied on gig work (flawed as that model is) to stay afloat and how soon even that could disappear.. www.engadget.com/transportati...
Waymo will also drive for DoorDash in Phoenix
Some DoorDash deliveries in Phoenix will be delivered by Waymo as part of a new partnership.
www.engadget.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:14 AM
I'm an occasional Waymo rider and have generally liked it a lot, but when I read about stuff like this all I can think about is how many people I know have relied on gig work (flawed as that model is) to stay afloat and how soon even that could disappear.. www.engadget.com/transportati...
if I had to get one like on this post I’m glad it was from @berkeleyca.gov
we can have a little earthquake in the morning, as a treat
October 17, 2025 at 2:29 AM
if I had to get one like on this post I’m glad it was from @berkeleyca.gov
In 6th grade I got nervous and misspelled "consistent" during my school's spelling bee and I still think about every time I write that word...
October 17, 2025 at 2:10 AM
In 6th grade I got nervous and misspelled "consistent" during my school's spelling bee and I still think about every time I write that word...
we can have a little earthquake in the morning, as a treat
October 16, 2025 at 4:32 PM
we can have a little earthquake in the morning, as a treat
Pinterest is introducing new controls to let users limit how much AI-generated content they see in their feeds following widespread compliants about AI content taking Pinterest www.engadget.com/social-media...
Pinterest will let you 'dial down' AI slop in your feeds
Pinterest is adding settings that allow people to "dial down" AI-generated content in a number of categories that are "highly-prone" to such imagery.
www.engadget.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Pinterest is introducing new controls to let users limit how much AI-generated content they see in their feeds following widespread compliants about AI content taking Pinterest www.engadget.com/social-media...
So Meta removed a Facebook group that was tracking ICE sightings in Chicago after a report that may have originated with Laura Loomer. Wonder if all the Twitter Files folks will investigate this? (if only one of those intrepid "investigative reporters" was now running a massive national newsroom...)
October 14, 2025 at 6:51 PM
So Meta removed a Facebook group that was tracking ICE sightings in Chicago after a report that may have originated with Laura Loomer. Wonder if all the Twitter Files folks will investigate this? (if only one of those intrepid "investigative reporters" was now running a massive national newsroom...)
love to see AI-generated LinkedIn posts recycling 10-year-old stories for the "inspo"
*iT's aBoUt bEInG ReLeVAnT*
*iT's aBoUt bEInG ReLeVAnT*
October 13, 2025 at 3:58 PM
love to see AI-generated LinkedIn posts recycling 10-year-old stories for the "inspo"
*iT's aBoUt bEInG ReLeVAnT*
*iT's aBoUt bEInG ReLeVAnT*
New foster kitty in the house! His name is Leon and he is the sweetest 🦁
October 11, 2025 at 12:32 PM
New foster kitty in the house! His name is Leon and he is the sweetest 🦁
“She plays to an audience of 200 people,” one Hollywood executive with ties to Weiss told Variety. “It just happens to be that audience is made up of people like Jeff Bezos and Bill Ackman. The superrich f------ love her.”
Bari Weiss, the incoming editor in chief of CBS News, once auditioned for a role on the hit daytime television show "The View," but tested so poorly with audiences that she "wasn't invited back," according to a new report.
CBS News' new boss once auditioned for 'The View' — and 'wasn't invited back': report
Bari Weiss, the incoming editor in chief of CBS News, once auditioned for a role on the hit daytime television show "The View," but tested so poorly with audiences that she "wasn't invited back," according to a new report. Variety reported on Tuesday that Weiss auditioned for "The View" when host Me...
bit.ly
October 9, 2025 at 3:47 AM
“She plays to an audience of 200 people,” one Hollywood executive with ties to Weiss told Variety. “It just happens to be that audience is made up of people like Jeff Bezos and Bill Ackman. The superrich f------ love her.”
this all seems chill and normal
October 8, 2025 at 10:59 PM
this all seems chill and normal
this is so fucking bleak
Neon, the No. 2 social app on the Apple App Store, pays users to record their phone calls and sells data to AI firms | TechCrunch
A new call recording app is gaining traction for offering to pay users for voice data from calls, which is sold to AI companies.
techcrunch.com
September 25, 2025 at 12:32 PM
this is so fucking bleak
I got so much hate for being skeptical of a ban and pointing out that there has never been any tangible evidence that the Chinese government is manipulating the TikTok algorithm. Wonder if they all feel so much safer from the scary TikTok algo now
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Trump turns Biden’s TikTok law into a big win
Biden officials said selling TikTok would safeguard it from political influence. Now, critics of a spinoff deal to Trump allies say that aim could be subverted.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:39 AM
I got so much hate for being skeptical of a ban and pointing out that there has never been any tangible evidence that the Chinese government is manipulating the TikTok algorithm. Wonder if they all feel so much safer from the scary TikTok algo now
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...