Jason Koebler

Jason Koebler

Jason is a cofounder of 404 Media. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Motherboard. He loves the Freedom of Information Act and surfing.
595 posts
Mark Zuckerberg Posts Deranged 6,500-Word Essay About Giving Everyone AI Superintelligence
AI Lobbying

Mark Zuckerberg Posts Deranged 6,500-Word Essay About Giving Everyone AI Superintelligence

"The future is for everyone," Zuckerberg says, describing future that is primarily good for Meta.
Behind the Blog: Rare Books and Baseball Brain
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: Rare Books and Baseball Brain

This week, we discuss Flock blogging, "rare" books, and Jesus Christ.
Cops Used Flock to Track a Man Across State Lines to Create Pretext to Search His Car for Weed
Flock

Cops Used Flock to Track a Man Across State Lines to Create Pretext to Search His Car for Weed

"The vehicle travels to Michigan frequently which is a known source state for marijuana as it is legal there," a probable cause justification reads.
‘DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE’: How Cops Are Trying to Hide Their Use of Flock
Flock

‘DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE’: How Cops Are Trying to Hide Their Use of Flock

“DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE IN YOUR REPORT OR COMPLAINT."
‘Own the Narrative’: Leaked Flock Guide Shows How It Teaches Cops to Promote Its Tech
Flock

‘Own the Narrative’: Leaked Flock Guide Shows How It Teaches Cops to Promote Its Tech

"This document shows a coordinated effort from Flock Safety to compel law enforcement agencies to convince our elected leaders to represent their interests as a company rather than the interests of concerned citizens."
Behind the Blog: Silent Retreat
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: Silent Retreat

This week, we discuss going into the woods, a "he admit it" moment, and a tofu sandwich.
Inside an AI TikTok Shop Slop Factory That Shills Supplements Recalled By the FDA
AI

Inside an AI TikTok Shop Slop Factory That Shills Supplements Recalled By the FDA

How a company called Rosabella used AI content to market its supplements: "If you’re trying to sell health products to a 50-year-old, well, make your avatar 50 years old."
Wikimedia Will Not Voluntarily Recognize Union a Supermajority of Its Workers Want
Wikimedia Foundation

Wikimedia Will Not Voluntarily Recognize Union a Supermajority of Its Workers Want

The Wikimedia Foundation waited until immediately after its largest annual conference to say it wouldn't voluntarily recognize its workers' union.
Behind the Blog: No Spoilers
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: No Spoilers

This week, we discuss astrology, Flock on the brain, The Odyssey, and more.
Flock's CEO Says its ALPRs Don't Do Video After Repeatedly Announcing They Can
Flock

Flock's CEO Says its ALPRs Don't Do Video After Repeatedly Announcing They Can

Flock's CEO Garrett Langley says people don't understand the capabilities of its ALPR system, but they do.
The Rise of Anti-Flock Influencers Who Make Things Up for Clout
Flock

The Rise of Anti-Flock Influencers Who Make Things Up for Clout

Instagram influencers are creating fake cease-and-desist letters, making themselves go viral and muddying the waters about mass surveillance.
Flock ‘Objects to Our Removing Their Equipment’: Emails Reveal Why a Town Put Bags Over Its Flock Cameras
Flock

Flock ‘Objects to Our Removing Their Equipment’: Emails Reveal Why a Town Put Bags Over Its Flock Cameras

"For the time being, if you or someone on your crew has availability to secure black plastic bags (or something else) over the cameras, that would be great."