The 404 Media Podcast 404 Media

A something extra for our listeners this week. Joseph went on an episode of Whale Hunting to talk about his new book DARK WIRE, in which the FBI secretly ran its own encrypted messaging app to wiretap the world. Whale Hunting is a great podcast that has journalists go behind-the-scenes on their own stories. It is absolutely worth listening to if you don't already!

Whale Hunting Podcast

DARK WIRE


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We start this week with a massive leak from inside Google. We obtained a copy of an internal Google database the company uses to track potential privacy and security issues. It's incredibly rare to get this sort of insight into a big tech company, and we explain what's inside the data itself. After the break, Sam tells us who deepfake legislation may leave behind. In the subscribers-only section, Jason explains how he tracked down the earliest known source of the All Eyes on Rafah image: a Facebook group dedicated to the AI industry.

Inside the Biggest FBI Sting Operation in History

Google Leak Reveals Thousands of Privacy Incidents

Google Contractor Used Admin Access to Leak Info From Private Nintendo YouTube Video

Laws About Deepfakes Can’t Leave Sex Workers Behind

Viral ‘All Eyes on Rafah’ Image Came From Facebook Group to Make ‘AI Industry Prosper’


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We revisit our Why Google Is Shit Now episode with something of an update: Google got worse! Of course we're talking about the embarrassing rollout of Google's AI-powered answers. Jason explains the supply chain of data, and especially how it comes from Reddit posts. After the break, Emanuel continues the Google theme with a Google researcher written study which shows that AI is now a leading disinformation vector. In the subscribers-only section, we talk about Sam's and Emaunel's piece on AI-generated CSAM not being a victimless crime.

Google Is Paying Reddit $60 Million for Fucksmith to Tell Its Users to Eat Glue

Google Researchers Say AI Now Leading Disinformation Vector (and Are Severely Undercounting the Problem)

AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material Is Not a ‘Victimless Crime’

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Really excited about this one. We spend the entire episode talking about SS7, the fundamental network and protocol which is both at the heart of the world's telecommunications infrastructure, and crucial for governments, spy firms, and criminals to monitor people or intercept texts. In the first half we break ton what SS7 is, why it's an issue, and our nearly 10 years of experience covering it. Then, we talk about the news we revealed about a U.S. cybersecurity official breaking rank with his agency to expose SS7 attacks in the U.S. In the subscribers-only section, we talk about Axon's new ChatGPT-like tool which automatically creates narratives from police bodycam audio, and all the implications that might have.

Cyber Official Speaks Out, Reveals Mobile Network Attacks in U.S.

Here Is What Axon’s Bodycam Report Writing AI Looks Like

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We've got something of a John Deere special episode this week. We start with Jason's piece on how the recent solar storm knocked out GPS for John Deere tractors, having a direct impact on farming across the country. After the break, Jason breaks down his deep dive into the various walls closing around John Deere's right to repair monopoly. In the subscribers-only section, we've got two wild Amazon stories: one on the bots used by Amazon workers to book time off, and another on "Swag Bucks," Amazon's internal employee cash system.

Solar Storm Knocks Out Farmers' Tractor GPS Systems During Peak Planting Season

The Walls Are Closing in on John Deere’s Tractor Repair Monopoly

Amazon Workers Use Bots to Claim Limited Supply of Time Off

Amazon’s Swag Store Sells Neck Fans to Prevent Workers from Overheating

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Apologies for some audio issues this week, they'll be fixed next time, but for now we have a super packed episode! We start with Jason's months-long deep dive into what Facebook has become with all of that AI-generated garbage on the site. It's not the dead internet, it's something much worse. After the break, Emanuel explains how Pokemon Go players are manipulating mapping technology to cheat at the game. Then in the subscribers-only section, Jason breaks down the latest cat and mouse game between ticket sellers and brokers.

Facebook’s AI Spam Isn’t the ‘Dead Internet’: It’s the Zombie Internet

Pokémon Go Players Invent Fake Beaches on Real Maps to Catch Rare Wigletts

How Resellers Are Transferring Billie Eilish's 'Untransferable' Tickets

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