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Behind the Blog: No Spoilers

https://www.404media.co/behind-the-blog-no-spoilers/

Published: July 24, 2026 18:11

This week, we discuss astrology, Flock on the brain, The Odyssey, and more.

A Stenographer Submitted AI-Generated Errors in Official Court Transcript, Judge Says

https://www.404media.co/judge-caught-court-reporter-using-ai-transcript-errors/

Published: July 23, 2026 21:41

A judge in Indiana warns a court reporter than it's their job to proofread their work, after catching errors likely made by AI transcription services.

Flock's CEO Says its ALPRs Don't Do Video After Repeatedly Announcing They Can

https://www.404media.co/flocks-ceo-says-its-alprs-dont-do-video-after-repeatedly-announcing-they-can/

Published: July 23, 2026 20:12

Flock's CEO Garrett Langley says people don't understand the capabilities of its ALPR system, but they do.

Patreon Lays Off 20 Percent of Its Workforce

https://www.404media.co/patreon-lays-off-20-percent-of-its-workforce/

Published: July 23, 2026 15:24

In an internal email shared with creators, CEO Jack Conte wrote that AI doesn’t replace human creativity — but it does affect how the company operates.

The Rise of Anti-Flock Influencers Who Make Things Up for Clout

https://www.404media.co/the-rise-of-anti-flock-influencers-who-make-things-up-for-clout/

Published: July 23, 2026 14:51

Instagram influencers are creating fake cease-and-desist letters, making themselves go viral and muddying the waters about mass surveillance.

Leaked Document Shows the Surveillance Tech at ICE’s Fingertips

https://www.404media.co/leaked-document-shows-the-surveillance-tech-at-ices-fingertips/

Published: July 23, 2026 13:55

From phone location data, to social media monitoring, to online undercover tools, a document obtained by 404 Media lays out the surveillance tech available across ICE agency wide.

Orcas Explode Fish Into Confetti, Possibly for Fun, In ‘Astounding’ New Video

https://www.404media.co/orcas-explode-fish-into-confetti-possibly-for-fun-in-astounding-new-video/

Published: July 23, 2026 13:17

A team captured first-of-its-kind footage of orcas holding a sunfish carcass still and ramming it so hard that it burst into fragments, which may be a form of social play. “We could hear the sound,” said one researcher.

Our New FOIA Forum! 7/30, 1PM ET

https://www.404media.co/our-new-foia-forum-7-30-1pm-et/

Published: July 23, 2026 11:52

Join us for our latest FOIA Forum where we teach you how to pry records from the government.

What Happened When Flock Came to My Town

https://www.404media.co/what-happened-when-flock-came-to-my-town/

Published: July 22, 2026 18:33

My small town in South Carolina will soon have more Flock cameras than police officers.

Flock ‘Objects to Our Removing Their Equipment’: Emails Reveal Why a Town Put Bags Over Its Flock Cameras

https://www.404media.co/flock-objects-to-our-removing-their-equipment-emails-reveal-why-a-town-put-bags-over-its-flock-cameras/

Published: July 22, 2026 14:03

"For the time being, if you or someone on your crew has availability to secure black plastic bags (or something else) over the cameras, that would be great."

Podcast: Flock is Tracking People, Not Just Cars

https://www.404media.co/podcast-flock-is-tracking-people-not-just-cars/

Published: July 22, 2026 13:56

How cops are using Flock to look for specific people; the company buying mountains of books for AI companies; and the big Suno hack.

You Opened a Credit Card. ICE Now Knows Where You Live

https://www.404media.co/you-opened-a-credit-card-ice-now-knows-where-you-live/

Published: July 22, 2026 13:14

Here's how your personal address travels from your credit card provider, through middlemen companies, and ends up with ICE.

What Does Olive Garden’s Never-Ending Pasta Have to Do With Voting Rights?

https://www.404media.co/olive-garden-never-ending-pasta-id-save-act/

Published: July 21, 2026 17:17

Do you have to show ID to get unlimited pasta at Olive Garden? Yes. Is this the same as secure voting? Definitely not.

Apple Fixes Hide My Email Vulnerability After 404 Media Coverage

https://www.404media.co/apple-fixes-hide-my-email-vulnerability-after-404-media-coverage/

Published: July 21, 2026 15:20

For a year, Apple knew that an issue in its Hide My Email feature was exposing customers’ real email addresses. Apple only fixed the issue after 404 Media covered it.

AI Companies Are Buying Tons of Old Books Because They're Free of AI Slop

https://www.404media.co/ai-companies-are-buying-tons-of-old-books-because-theyre-free-of-ai-slop/

Published: July 21, 2026 13:51

ISBNdb, a company that sources printed books for AI companies to turn into training data, tells clients “the optics problem is real.”

New Orleans Cops Published Policy Document Allowing Weaponized Drones

https://www.404media.co/new-orleans-cops-published-policy-document-allowing-weaponized-drones/

Published: July 20, 2026 14:37

Cops and drone companies seem increasingly eager to put weapons on their drones.

Ancient Princesses Were Weapon-Wielding Badasses, Scientists Discover

https://www.404media.co/ancient-princesses-were-weapon-wielding-badasses-scientists-discover/

Published: July 18, 2026 10:00

The mummified remains of 4,000-year-old Egyptian royals suggest that they were buried with weapons because they could use them, not for symbolic reasons.

You're Invited: 404 Media's Third Anniversary Live Podcast and Party!

https://www.404media.co/three-years/

Published: July 17, 2026 16:15

We're celebrating with TWO NIGHTS of good times: A live taping of the podcast, and a party the following night! Paid 404 Media subscribers get free and discounted access. Details below.

Behind the Blog: Infinite Bowl Machine

https://www.404media.co/behind-the-blog-infinite-bowl-machine/

Published: July 17, 2026 16:07

This week, we discuss AI music, slop bowls, and the endless quest for optimization.

ICE to Pay Thomson Reuters $125 Million to Find ‘Voter Fraud’

https://www.404media.co/ice-to-pay-thomson-reuters-125-million-to-find-voter-fraud/

Published: July 17, 2026 15:35

A new procurement record says ICE wants access to personal data, including names, Social Security numbers, and ethnicity, to investigate in part what the agency calls “voters fraud.” It also plans to use the data to investigate immigration fraud.