The 404 Media Podcast
404 Media
Welcome to the podcast from 404 Media where Joseph, Sam, Emanuel, and Jason catch you up on the stories we published this week. 404 Media is a journalist-owned digital media company exploring the way technology is shaping–and is shaped by–our world. We bring you unparalleled access to hidden worlds both online and IRL through investigative reporting, smart blogging, and breaking news. At 404 Media you’ll read, and hear, stories you can’t find anywhere else written by journalists who are leading experts on their beats. Subscribe to 404 Media at 404media.co to gain access to an ad-free version of this podcast, as well as a bonus podcast episodes. Subscribers are the bedrock of building a sustainable business for our journalism.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
5 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 52min
Pornhub Exec Discusses Pulling Out of the South, Trad Wives, and Feet Pics
Alexzandra Kekesi, the VP of Brand and Community at Pornhub, shares her insights after over a decade with the company. She dives into the stigma surrounding the adult industry and discusses the unexpected rise of 'trad wife' content and foot fetishism. Kekesi also explains Pornhub's decision to exit markets in a third of the U.S. due to age verification laws that resemble a digital dark age. The conversation touches on the challenges of content creation, the importance of human support, and the evolving landscape of adult entertainment.
50 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 50min
TikTok and the Tech Oligarchy
Dive into the heated discussion about the potential U.S. ban on TikTok and its implications for decentralization in social media. Explore the controversial GeoSpy tool, which allows law enforcement to geolocate images in a blink. Reflect on the risks of such technologies and the chilling effect on privacy. Plus, take a trip down memory lane with quirky Nokia designs from the Y2K era, highlighting what could have been in tech innovation. Engage with fascinating insights into the balance between internet freedom and control!
38 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 55min
Total Chaos at Meta
Inside Meta, employees are protesting against new anti-LGBTQ policy changes, raising concerns about workplace morale. The discussion then shifts to a troubling data breach where thousands of apps may be unwittingly hijacked, compromising location data. The fallout from California's wildfires intersects with technology as Amazon delivery confirmations reveal chilling tales of lost homes. The episode also critiques the responsibilities of social media giants amidst a climate of nationalistic pressures and profit-driven practices.
19 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 51min
Meta Goes Mask Off
The discussion kicks off with juicy controversies surrounding Meta, including backlash against new board member Dana White and debates over reduced content moderation. The hosts delve into the odd rollout of AI-generated profiles that sparked hilarious critique. Later, they tackle the puzzling censorship of Pornhub across the U.S. South and the fallout from recent age verification laws. The far-reaching implications of legislation that targets adult content take center stage, revealing the complex dance between free speech and regulation.
15 snips
Dec 31, 2024 • 1h 4min
The 404 Media Year in Review
Reflecting on the past year, the hosts dive into the evolving landscape of AI and journalism. They discuss the tension between media curation and paywalls, highlighting the shift of creators to independent platforms. The challenges of personal branding for journalists amid ethical dilemmas are also explored. The conversation turns to the dual nature of AI, balancing its innovative potential against commercialization hype. Finally, they examine the changing dynamics of audience engagement and the struggles faced by niche media outlets in a rapidly shifting industry.
6 snips
Dec 25, 2024 • 1h 4min
Why We Cover AI the Way We Do
Dive into the complexities of AI reporting, exploring controversial incidents involving image generation that sparked heated debates. The conversation moves to ethical dilemmas, including cultural sensitivities and the role of media in shaping perceptions of technology. There's also a look at startup challenges and the tools that aid productivity. Moreover, the discussion tackles accountability in the realm of AI and the responsibilities of creators and users. Finally, expect a playful critique of how technology interacts with culture in surprisingly humorous ways.
14 snips
Dec 18, 2024 • 42min
The New Jersey Drone Panic
Dive into the mystery of the New Jersey drones, where public panic may be the result of misidentifications. Explore how fear-driven behaviors, like laser pointing at aircraft, can escalate tensions. Then, shift gears to Serbia, where law enforcement uses Cellebrite to unlock phones, turning them into surveillance tools against journalists. Finally, get inspired by an art project that creatively uses traffic cameras in New York City to spark conversation about digital privacy and surveillance.
42 snips
Dec 11, 2024 • 60min
3D Printed Guns and UnitedHealthcare
The podcast opens with a gripping tale about a 3D printed gun found near the accused murderer of a health CEO. There’s a dive into the online persona of Luigi Mangione and the implications of journalism in criminal cases. The conversation shifts to the surprising removal of leadership pages by major healthcare companies post-tragedy. Online reactions to the assassination ignite debates on content moderation and public sentiment. Lastly, Congress is raising alarms over deepfake apps, linking technology to broader societal issues.
26 snips
Dec 4, 2024 • 44min
Your Bluesky Posts Are Probably Training AI
Concerns about data privacy heat up as users react to the revelation of a dataset containing their Bluesky posts. The ethical implications of data scraping in social media are scrutinized, raising questions about consent and user protection. Meanwhile, a nostalgic look at Redbox explores its rise and fall amid the streaming era, along with efforts to recycle and repurpose old kiosks. The conversation also highlights new government actions against data brokers, aiming to curb privacy violations and enhance digital rights.
25 snips
Nov 27, 2024 • 51min
Pokémon Go to The Military Industrial Complex
The discussion kicks off with how Pokémon Go players have inadvertently helped train AI through their gameplay. It dives into the concept of 'AI pimping', revealing the ethical dilemmas around AI-generated influencers on social media. The hosts tackle the implications of data collection on privacy, especially concerning military applications. They humorously explore how technology is reshaping our urban landscapes and highlight the rampant issue of content theft, particularly affecting creators in the adult industry.
