CBP
DHS Gives Local Cops a Facial Recognition App To Find Immigrants
The app, called Mobile Identify and available on the Google Play Store, is specifically for local and regional law enforcement agencies working with ICE on immigration enforcement.
Right to Repair
All 50 States Have Now Introduced Right to Repair Legislation
The legislation hasn't yet passed everywhere, but all 50 states introducing some form of right to repair legislation is a "tipping point” for the right to repair movement.
News
A Slop Publisher Sold a Ripoff of My Book on Amazon
For $4.99, you too could buy "SUMMARY OF JOSEPH COX’S DARK WIRE." It's contents might be AI-generated.
The Abstract
Scientists Discover Ancient Farms in the Deep Sea
The “farmers” are invertebrates and the “crops” are microbes and all of it is dead.
News
'The Bigotry Is Astounding:' Engineers Waste Time and Money Scanning .Gov Sites for 'Transgender' and Other Terms
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is wasting workers’ time and taxpayer dollars.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Chatbots as Gospel, Books and Birds
This week, we discuss the new Murderbot show, ChatGPT for journalism, and birdwatching from afar.
dei
Ziff Davis, Owner of Sites Including IGN and CNET, Quietly Removed DEI Language From Its Website
The company, which owns IGN, CNET, PCMag, and dozens more outlets and properties, took down specific information about its diversity commitment on multiple pages on its website over the past several weeks.
News
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon Sued for Not Telling Patients Hackers Stole Their Nude Photos
A class-action lawsuit filed against the surgeon claims he also did nothing to protect his patients’ data, including their financial information and nude photos of them.
Impact
Public Library Ebook Service to Cull AI Slop After 404 Media Investigation
Hoopla has emailed librarians saying it’s removing AI-generated books from the platform people use to borrow ebooks from public libraries.
Meta Sues Alleged Violent Extortionist For Holding Instagram Accounts Hostage
Idriss Qibaa, a “professional when it comes to the banning and unbanning of Instagram accounts" who ran “Unlocked 4 Life,” claimed he made more than $600,000 a month.
Humane
The Humane AI Pin: A $700 Brick of E-Waste
In Loving Memory of Humane AI Pin (April 2024-Feb 2025).
Podcast
Podcast: DOGE's Website, Hacked
DOGE left its website backend exposed; lawyers own up to using AI; and a YouTube true crime documentary channel where all the murders are AI-generated.
Elon Musk
Musk Ally Demands Admin Access to System That Lets Government Text the Public
A worker resigned in protest rather than giving Thomas Shedd access to Notify.gov, which they said would allow him to see "all personally identifiable information moving through the Notiy system, including phone numbers," 404 Media has learned.