The 404 Media Podcast The Final Boss of AI Slop
Oct 8, 2025
The discussion kicks off with OpenAI's intriguing new AI tool, Sora 2, highlighting the bizarre use of copyrighted characters like SpongeBob for deepfakes. Soon, the conversation shifts to the fast-growing problem of watermark removal tools. In a surprising twist, Apple and Google face scrutiny over their removal of ICE-spotting apps, leading to debates about government influence on tech companies. The hosts also touch on the murky waters of consent, trademark issues, and the future relevance of Sora 2 in an opt-out world.
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Sora 2 Lowers Deepfake Barriers
- Sora 2 turns AI video generation into a social app by tying quick face/voice scans to a user profile.
- That makes high-quality, personalized deepfakes trivial to produce and share outside the app.
Buying A Sora Invite Unveiled Copyright Flood
- Jason bought an invite code on eBay to test Sora 2 and saw immediate copyright-heavy content.
- His first viral impressions were SpongeBob, Pikachu, and other copyrighted characters everywhere.
Opt-Out Model Shifts Burden To Rights Holders
- OpenAI's opt-out approach forces rights-holders to request removal per character rather than respecting copyright by default.
- That reverses traditional copyright norms and shifts enforcement burdens onto IP owners.