X accuses music publishers of ‘weaponizing’ DMCA takedowns
X accuses music publishers of ‘weaponizing’ DMCA takedowns

X is suing music publishers and their trade group, the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), accusing them of attempted coercion in their ongoing battle over licensing, as reported earlier by The Hollywood Reporter. The Elon Musk-owned platform accuses music publishers of colluding with the NMPA to “coerce X into taking licenses to musical works from […]

The latest on Grok’s gross AI deepfakes problem
The latest on Grok’s gross AI deepfakes problem

The launch of an AI image editing feature on xAI’s Grok has caused chaos on X after it was used to generate a flood of nonconsensual sexualized deepfakes. As Hayden Field wrote, “screenshots show Grok complying with requests to put real women in lingerie and make them spread their legs, and to put small children […]

The MAGA-approved video of an ICE killing
The MAGA-approved video of an ICE killing

The clips are filmed from different angles. Some are zoomed in, making them indecipherably grainy, and others are slowed down. Some are 20 seconds while others are longer, sandwiched by commentary from users on social media platforms like X, Bluesky, Reddit, and TikTok. Each video – depicting the moment an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent […]

Blood for stonks
Blood for stonks

On December 31st, a brand-new account on Polymarket placed a bet: Nicolás Maduro, the leader of Venezuela, would be out of office by the end of January. It was the first in a series of increasing bets. On January 3rd, the US bombed the Venezuelan capital, kidnapped Maduro and his wife, and killed at least […]

New Work Zone Cameras Bust Drivers For Cell Phone Distraction

Arkansas’ new work zone cameras can now spot drivers using phones in construction zones, alerting highway police to stop and ticket distracted drivers.

Cop Transforms Into Frog According To AI Generated Police Report

An AI police report tool turned a cop into a “frog,” exposing how generative AI in policing can warp reality.

Book Review: ‘The Exposure Economy,’ A Recipe For Digital Self-Defense

“The Exposure Economy,” is a detailed investigation of the global economy trading in personal data.

Public domain 2026: Betty Boop, Pluto, and Nancy Drew set free
Public domain 2026: Betty Boop, Pluto, and Nancy Drew set free

Some years ago, I was writing a science fiction short story in which I wanted to incorporate verses from a 1928 song, “Button Up Your Overcoat.” However, when I sold the story, my editor told me that since the song was still copyrighted, it was safer not to include the verses. If I had written […]

Honey: all the news about PayPal’s alleged scam coupon app
Honey: all the news about PayPal’s alleged scam coupon app

PayPal’s Honey browser extension has been lauded for years as an easy way to find coupons online. But some are calling it a “scam” after a deep dive from YouTuber MegaLag, who accused Honey of “stealing money from influencers,” and returned one year later with a second video that says Honey targeted minors, collected data […]

Google Searches ‘Not Private,’ PA Court Effectively Rules

Police in Pennsylvania can now obtain many Google search records without a warrant.