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.
437 posts
CBP Had Access to More than 80,000 Flock AI Cameras Nationwide
Flock

CBP Had Access to More than 80,000 Flock AI Cameras Nationwide

Flock said it has "paused all federal pilots" after police departments said they didn't realize they were sharing access with Customs and Border Patrol.
80s Nostalgia AI Slop Is Boomerfying the Masses for a Past That Never Existed
AI Slop

80s Nostalgia AI Slop Is Boomerfying the Masses for a Past That Never Existed

AI makes it easier than ever to slip into the comforting glow of nostalgia.
404 Media at Two Years: How We've Grown, and What's Next
404 Media

404 Media at Two Years: How We've Grown, and What's Next

We're reflecting on the impact our journalism had in year two, how we've grown with your support, and what we aspire to accomplish in year three.
Behind the Blog: Our Second Anniversary Party!
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: Our Second Anniversary Party!

This week, we have some party pics and musical selections from last night.
Pentagon Asks Its Civilian Employees If They Want to Work for ICE
Immigration

Pentagon Asks Its Civilian Employees If They Want to Work for ICE

The Department of Defense asks its civilian workers to apply for a "volunteer force" to support ICE that may involve working under "austere conditions.
Chinese Livestreaming 'Virtual Human' Salespeople Are Outselling Their Human Counterparts
wired

Chinese Livestreaming 'Virtual Human' Salespeople Are Outselling Their Human Counterparts

Built using AI technology from Baidu and DeepSeek, these virtual livestreamers sell everything from wet wipes to printers and work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Behind the Blog: Exercises in OSINT and Storage Pains
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: Exercises in OSINT and Storage Pains

This week, we discuss OSINT for chat groups, Russell Crowe films, and storage problems.
Trump Administration Outlines Plan to Throw Out an Agency's FOIA Requests En Masse
FOIA

Trump Administration Outlines Plan to Throw Out an Agency's FOIA Requests En Masse

The Department of Energy said it will close FOIA requests from last year unless the requester emails the agency to say they are still interested. Experts say it's an "attempt to close out as many FOIA requests as possible."
ICE Propaganda Video That Used Jay-Z Song Hit With Copyright Takedown
Immigration

ICE Propaganda Video That Used Jay-Z Song Hit With Copyright Takedown

A DHS sizzle reel that used "Public Service Announcement" got hit with a copyright takedown request and has been deleted off of X.
Feds Used Local Cop's Password to Do Immigration Surveillance With Flock Cameras
Flock

Feds Used Local Cop's Password to Do Immigration Surveillance With Flock Cameras

A DEA agent used a local cop's password "for federal investigations in late January 2025 without [the cop's] knowledge of said use."
Behind the Blog: Speculation, Distraction, and Smart Glasses
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: Speculation, Distraction, and Smart Glasses

This week, we discuss Wikipedia's ethos and zooming in on a lot of pictures of cops' glasses.
A CBP Agent Wore Meta Smart Glasses to an Immigration Raid in Los Angeles
CBP

A CBP Agent Wore Meta Smart Glasses to an Immigration Raid in Los Angeles

Video obtained and verified by 404 Media shows a CBP official wearing Meta's AI glasses, which are capable of recording and connecting with AI. “I think it should be seen in the context of an agency that is really encouraging its agents to actively intimidate and terrorize people," one expert said.