Lawmakers Demand DHS Define ‘Domestic Terrorist’ As It Uses Vast Array of Surveillance Tools
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson and a host of other Democrats made the demand in a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “Your actions are abhorrent, blatantly unconstitutional, and…
The Government Just Made it Harder to See What Spy Tech it Buys
On Wednesday, the government stopped supporting FPDS.gov, an indispensable resource for finding what ICE, the FBI, and every other agency is buying. Its replacement site…
Scientists Reveal the Surprising Sex Lives of Neanderthals and Early Humans
A new genetic analysis reveals that human females and Neanderthal males interbred far more than the reverse, for reasons that remain mysterious.
What’s the Point of School When AI Can Do Your Homework?
The creator of the AI agent “Einstein” wants to free humans from the burden of academic labor. Critics say that misses the point of education entirely.
Behind the Blog: Using Your Brain
This week, we discuss wishes made for better privacy, god complexes, and the point of it all.
FBI Got Grok to Hand Over Prompts Used to Create Nonconsensual Porn
The FBI obtained prompts used to make more than 200 sexual videos of a woman in a harassment case.
Company Helps Men Scrub Negative Posts About Them from Tea App
“We just want to take down posts about people who are being defamed," the company's founder said. “And when I say defamed, it means like, ‘this guy has a small penis,’ or ‘this…
Amazon Change Means Wishlists Might Expose Your Address
Amazon is allowing gift senders to choose items from third-party sellers, which could open recipients up to new privacy risks.
This App Warns You if Someone Is Wearing Smart Glasses Nearby
The creator of Nearby Glasses made the app after reading 404 Media's coverage of how people are using Meta's Ray-Bans smartglasses to film people without their knowledge or…
A Billion Years Are Mysteriously Missing From Earth’s History. Now, We Know Why.
The Great Unconformity — a gap in Earth’s geological record — has puzzled scientists for 150 years. New research suggests it was created by shifting continents, rather than…
Meta's AI Patent to Simulate Dead People Shows the Dangers of 'Spectral Labor'
Researchers say Meta’s patent for simulating dead users could be a “turning point” in “AI resurrections.”
Podcast: Privacy Under Pressure (With Harlo Holmes)
Harlo and Sam discuss the important privacy and security work she does every day alongside and for journalists, and why it’s only becoming more crucial.
Meta Director of AI Safety Allows AI Agent to Accidentally Delete Her Inbox
Meta Superintelligence Labs’ director of alignment called it a “rookie mistake.”
How ICE and CBP Use Free Walkie-Talkie App ‘Zello’ to Power Their Operations
404 Media found multiple users of Zello, an app previously used by January 6 insurrectionists, linked to ICE officials. An officer at the scene of an CBP official shooting a U.S.…
The Islamic State Is Using AI to Resurrect Dead Leaders and Platforms Are Failing to Moderate It
The group is talking about Epstein and filming propaganda videos in Roblox as a form of 'digital Jihad,' researchers say.
Podcast: Ring Is Just Getting Started
A leaked Ring email; looksmaxxing; and another Grok screwup.