The 404 Media Podcast 404 Media

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’

Subscribe at 404media.co for bonus content.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Subscribe at 404media.co for access to bonus content.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Subscribe at 404media.co for bonus content.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Subscribe at 404media.co for bonus content.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We start this week's episode with a mystery: where did a 17-second music snippet that has puzzled online sleuths for years really come from? Sam breaks it down. After the break, Joseph explains how an online service was scraping and selling Discord server messages for as little as $5. Then in the subscribers-only section, Jason takes us into the world of influencers who are using AI livestream apps, complete with fake audiences, and how they're being used to target women.

Long Lost Song Hunted By Thousands Found in 80s Porno

Discord Shuts Down ‘Spy Pet’ Bots That Scraped, Sold User Messages

Men Use Fake Livestream Apps With AI Audiences to Hit on Women

Subscribe at 404media.co for access to bonus content.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a long one! First Joseph previews his upcoming book, DARK WIRE. Go to the link below and enter "DW20" for 20% off! Also make sure to redeem your preorder behind-the-scenes bonus content. As for this week's stories, we start off with Jason explaining why we can, we must, dunk on the Humane Ai Pin, a piece of hardware that is AI's Juicero moment. After the break, Emanuel shows that Instagram is advertising deepfake nudify apps, the sort that are being abused right now in schools. In the subscribers-only section, we talk a bunch about Reddit, and especially how a tool has been made to sprinkle AI-generated product placements into popular Reddit threads.

Preorder DARK WIRE for bonus content and 20% off with code "DW20"

We Can, and We Must, Clown on the Humane AI Pin Forever

Instagram Advertises Nonconsensual AI Nude Apps

AI Is Poisoning Reddit to Promote Products and Game Google With 'Parasite SEO'

Subscribe at 404media.co for access to bonus content.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices