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.
25 posts
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.
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.
Impact
Senator Pushes Zuckerberg on "Perverse Abuse" of Nudify Ads After 404 Media Report
Senator Dick Durbin presses Meta to explain why it can’t stop sending traffic to nonconsensual AI image generators that violate its policy.
News
Congress Pushes Apple to Remove Deepfake Apps After 404 Media Investigation
Congress is asking Apple, Google, Microsoft, and other big tech companies why they can’t get their deepfake problem under control.