Joseph Cox

Joseph Cox

Joseph is an award-winning investigative journalist focused on generating impact. His work has triggered hundreds of millions of dollars worth of fines, shut down tech companies, and much more.
710 posts
FBI Hackers Say They Won’t Publish Massive Trove of FBI Employee Data
fbi

FBI Hackers Say They Won’t Publish Massive Trove of FBI Employee Data

ShinyHunters, the group that stole data on “all FBI employees” including addresses and details on their spouses, told 404 Media on Monday “Since the very beginning we had made our decision that we would never publish this data. We have never intended to nor have we ever planned to.”
The End of Privacy Is Here (with Kashmir Hill)
Podcast

The End of Privacy Is Here (with Kashmir Hill)

Facial recognition is everywhere now. Soon it's going to be right in your face, too.
Humans Are Reading Copilot Prompts — And They're Horrified
Microsoft

Humans Are Reading Copilot Prompts — And They're Horrified

Human contractors are reviewing Copilot users’ prompts and uploaded images, according to internal documents obtained by 404 Media. The contractors are also bombarded with users’ requests for sexual AI images.
Behind the Blog: Did you notice?
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: Did you notice?

This week, we discuss some small changes, an AI song, and internet soup.
Podcast: OpenAI Admits AI is Killing the Internet
Podcast

Podcast: OpenAI Admits AI is Killing the Internet

Microsoft and OpenAI admit it; how we got AI slop onto a real band's Spotify page; and AI agent spam is here.
FBI Hack Exposed FBI’s Own Hacking Unit
fbi

FBI Hack Exposed FBI’s Own Hacking Unit

The FBI's Remote Operations Unit (ROU) is a highly secretive team of hackers making exploits and tools to break into target’s devices. Some of its members just got exposed.
‘We Hacked the FBI:’ Hackers Say They Have Data on All FBI Employees
Hacking

‘We Hacked the FBI:’ Hackers Say They Have Data on All FBI Employees

A sample of 5,000 alleged agents seen by 404 Media includes names, addresses, phone numbers, and details on FBI employees' spouses.
People Training OpenAI’s AI Fired for Using AI to Train the AI
OpenAI

People Training OpenAI’s AI Fired for Using AI to Train the AI

OpenAI has thousands and thousands of contractors helping improve the company's AI models. Multiple contractors have been fired for using AI to train the AI.
Is Your City Using Axon License Plate Cameras? We Need Your Help
axon

Is Your City Using Axon License Plate Cameras? We Need Your Help

404 Media is filing public records requests around the country to find out how cops are using Axon's ALPRs. Here is how you can do that too.
Behind the Blog: Eating the Internet
Behind The Blog

Behind the Blog: Eating the Internet

This week, we discuss just doing it, machines that eat the internet, and an eavesdropping watch.
University Rescinds Job Offer to Activist Who Allegedly Wiped Phone Before DHS Could Search It
Privacy

University Rescinds Job Offer to Activist Who Allegedly Wiped Phone Before DHS Could Search It

Samuel Tunick allegedly wiped his GrapheneOS phone before CBP officials could search it, in what has become a high profile civil liberties case. Now Georgia State University has rescinded a job offer to him.
Podcast: Humans Are Reading Your ChatGPT Conversations
Podcast

Podcast: Humans Are Reading Your ChatGPT Conversations

The contractors reading real ChatGPT users' prompts; the big out-and-back-in around Automattic; and a16z thinks enshittification isn't real.