The 404 Media Podcast

Join an exciting journey through the DEF CON hacking conference, where insiders share their experiences and insights. Discover the vibrant hacking culture and meet intriguing technologists. Learn about groundbreaking innovations like the Raspberry Pico 2 and the shifting influence of artificial intelligence in the hacking realm. The atmosphere hums with energy, intrigue, and the thrill of innovation as hackers and researchers connect.

Taylor Swift, the influential singer-songwriter, discusses potential legal action against Donald Trump regarding AI-generated images that misuse her likeness. The conversation reveals the perils of digital manipulation and calls for protections against non-consensual celebrity endorsements. Joseph, a technology and law expert, highlights the U.S.'s use of hacked messages from encrypted phones for prosecuting drug traffickers, shedding light on innovative policing tactics in the face of organized crime. It's a fascinating intersection of celebrity rights and law enforcement strategies!

Join Sam, a gifted storyteller, as he recounts the thrilling pursuit of Michael Pratt, a notorious sex trafficking ringleader. Pratt's unbelievable connection to the controversial Girls Do Porn brand reveals the dark side of exploitation masquerading as entertainment. Experts discuss the desperate manhunt, detailing the efforts of a determined group of friends and their unique skills. Additionally, Joseph dives into the world of hacking with 'Airbnb hopping,' showcasing the lengths some go to evade capture. A truly gripping narrative of justice and daring!

Sam, who played a key role in exposing Nvidia's massive leak, discusses the company's controversial data scraping practices from platforms like YouTube and Netflix for AI training. Jason sheds light on his investigation into AI-generated spam on Facebook, revealing the creators behind it and the complexities of social media monetization. They also touch on the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI and corporate practices, along with insights from their experiences at the DEF CON conference.

Meredith Whittaker, president of the Signal Foundation and a key figure in digital privacy, discusses the current landscape of messaging apps, specifically Signal's end-to-end encryption. She delves into the threats posed by AI on user privacy and explains the implications of backdoors in communication tools. The conversation touches on the delicate balance between law enforcement and user rights, exploring ethical concerns around hacked encrypted chats. Whittaker highlights the ongoing struggles of maintaining digital privacy in an increasingly surveilled world.

Sam, a journalist known for her tech controversies coverage, and Joseph, an internet culture enthusiast, dive into some hot topics. They discuss the uprising against AI scraping, spotlighting how websites are using robots.txt to fight back. Sam unveils her scoop on Runway's unauthorized video scraping from YouTube creators, raising eyebrows about copyright issues. Plus, they explore how Reddit’s exclusive deal with Google shapes search visibility, leaving other search engines in the dust. Lastly, the crew fills Joseph in on the bizarre world of Skibidi.

The podcast discusses the CrowdStrike outage that caused Windows machines worldwide to crash, impacting government agencies. They also talk about vaping the internet and leaked Cellebrite documents revealing phone unlocking capabilities.

AI industry expert Emanuel discusses the shocking AT&T breach and its implications. He also delves into the impact of JD Vance on the AI industry. The conversation covers phone metadata risks, face selling for fraud, and Vance's controversial book 'Hillbilly Elegy'.

The podcast discusses the Ticketmaster hack getting worse, with hackers targeting non-transferable tickets. They explore how scalpers and hackers collaborate to bypass ticket restrictions. In the subscribers-only section, they cover the sale of netflow data to the U.S. government.

The podcast discusses the exposure of driver licenses on ID verification services, FBI investigations into Zoom Bombing, and the advertising of a data tool to dox anyone on Fiverr. It explores cybersecurity breaches, legal and ethical concerns in cybersecurity research, challenges of virtual city council meetings during the pandemic, and child radicalization concerns on online platforms.