DOGE
Judge Allows DOGE Deposition Videos Back Online
“We are pleased to see today's ruling in defense of the First Amendment rights of all Americans,” one of the plaintiffs in the DOGE-related lawsuit said. The videos previously went viral when a DOGE member was unable or unwilling to define DEI.
Behind The Blog
Behind the Blog: Perverse Virality
This is Behind the Blog, where we share our behind-the-scenes thoughts about how a few of our top stories of the week came together. This week, we talk about going viral, what we're watching lately, and a trip to Best Buy.
Car Repair
It Is Now Legal to Hack McFlurry Machines (and Medical Devices) to Fix Them
A new federal rule makes it legal to bypass software locks on commercial food equipment for the purposes of repair.
Redbox
Redbox's Last DVD: 'Twister' Is Unrentable in Remaining Redbox Kiosks and No One Knows Why
Twister was one of the first DVDs ever released. Now it's stuck in still-functioning Redbox machines.
Chinese T-Shirt Maker Flooded Facebook with Ads Promising to Donate Money to Harris, Trump, SuperPACs
The company is selling Kamala Harris and Donald Trump merch, and falsely promising to donate proceeds from the sales to the campaigns and other political causes.
Podcast
Podcast: How the U.S. Government Tracks Your Phone
A massive story on how a U.S. government-bought tool can track phones at abortion clinics; a very special guest drops by to talk about The Abstract; and how we found where a Musk-funded PAC is targeting Snapchat ads.
Features
Inside the U.S. Government-Bought Tool That Can Track Phones at Abortion Clinics
Privacy advocates gained access to a powerful tool bought by U.S. law enforcement agencies that can track smartphone locations around the world. Abortion clinics, places of worship, and individual people can all be monitored without a warrant.
Amazon
Amazon Says It Has a First Amendment Right to Union Bust
In response to an NLRB complaint, Amazon argues that preventing it from holding captive-audience meetings violates the U.S. Constitution.
News
Encrypted Chat App ‘Session’ Leaves Australia After Visit From Police
After federal police came to an employee’s house to ask questions, encrypted messaging company Session has decided to leave Australia and switch to a foundation model based in Switzerland.
Surveillance
Lawsuit Argues Warrantless Use of Flock Surveillance Cameras Is Unconstitutional
"It is functionally impossible for people to drive anywhere without having their movements tracked, photographed, and stored in an AI-assisted database that enables the warrantless surveillance of their every move. This civil rights lawsuit seeks to end this dragnet surveillance program."
News
Twitch Quietly Blocked New Users From Israel and Palestine Since October 7
“We deeply regret this unacceptable miss, and the confusion it has caused,” Twitch said.
News
Watch: Inside the FBI’s Secret Phone Company
Here is the full video of Joseph’s recent talk at the DEF CON hacking conference, showing never-before-shared details about the FBI’s secret phone company called Anom.
The Abstract
Is There Life on Europa?
This week, we travel to the Fava Flow Suburbs, some dusty Martian ice, moonlit tropical forests, and a colony of mole-rats.
