Impact
At 404 Media, we are particularly focused on doing journalism that has real-world impact. These are articles where we can trace a direct line between our work and tangible policy change.
28 posts
Impact
Apple Fixes Bug That Let FBI Extract Deleted Signal Messages After 404 Media Coverage
The move comes directly in response to 404 Media’s coverage about how the FBI was able to recover incoming Signal messages from an iPhone because the messages were saved in the device’s notification storage.
Impact
Thomson Reuters Shareholders Demand Investigation into ICE Contracts
The shareholders explicitly cited multiple 404 Media investigations, including one that showed Thomson Reuters' CLEAR is integrated with a tool ICE uses to find neighborhoods to target.
Impact
Lawmakers Demand DHS Define ‘Domestic Terrorist’ As It Uses Vast Array of Surveillance Tools
Rep. Bennie G. Thompson and a host of other Democrats made the demand in a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “Your actions are abhorrent, blatantly unconstitutional, and corrosive to the functioning of a
peaceful society.”
ICE
Inspector General Investigating Whether ICE's Surveillance Tech Breaks the Law
DHS's inspector general is probing ICE's biometric and surveillance programs.
Impact
Senators Push for Answers on ICE's Surveillance Shopping Spree
Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine asked the inspector general of the DHS about a host of surveillance technologies, including Flock, mobile phone spyware, and location data.
Impact
New Legislation Would Rein In ICE’s Facial Recognition App
The proposed law would force DHS only use the app, called Mobile Fortify, at ports of entry; delete all photos of U.S. citizens taken by the app; and effectively kill the local law enforcement of the app.
Impact
Airlines Will Shut Down Program That Sold Your Flights Records to Government
The move comes after intense pressure from lawmakers and 404 Media’s months-long reporting about the airline industry's data selling practices.
Impact
Congress Pushes DHS for Details on ICE’s New Facial Recognition App
404 Media first revealed ICE’s new app, called Mobile Fortify, in June. Now members of a congressional committee are pressing DHS for more information, including ICE's legal basis for using the app inside the U.S.
Impact
Congress Launches Investigation into Flock After 404 Media Reporting
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi's office said this was “a formal investigation into Flock Group Inc. over its role in enabling invasive surveillance practices that threaten the privacy, safety, and civil liberties of women, immigrants, and other vulnerable Americans.”
Impact
Tea App Turns Off DMs After Exposing Messages About Abortions, Cheating
404 Media first contacted Tea about the security issue on Saturday. The company disabled direct messages on Monday after our report.
Flock
Flock Removes States From National Lookup Tool After ICE and Abortion Searches Revealed
Following 404 Media’s reporting and in light of new legislation, automatic license plate reader (ALPR) company Flock has stopped agencies reaching into cameras in California, Illinois, and Virginia.
Impact
Senator Demands Investigation into Trump Admin Signal Clone After 404 Media Investigation
404 Media reported on Sunday a hacker had got users' messages and group chats from TeleMessage. Now Senator Ron Wyden is demanding an investigation.