From 404 Media · 40 stories
Flock Cameras Expand Surveillance Across U.S., Sparking Privacy Concerns
Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. are using Flock cameras, initially for vehicle tracking, to search for individuals through detailed descriptions. This usage extends beyond license plate recognition, incorporating AI to track people based on physical characteristics or affiliations. The widespread deployment of 90,000 cameras has raised significant privacy concerns due to lack of public consent.
Discovery of Atmosphere on Rocky Exoplanet LHS 1140-b Advances Search for Alien Life
Astronomers have detected helium in the atmosphere of LHS 1140-b, a rocky exoplanet in its star's habitable zone, marking the first such finding. This breakthrough offers potential evidence that rocky planets capable of supporting life may exist beyond our solar system, advancing the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life.
New Browser Extension Filters Counterfeits and Sketchy Brands on Amazon
A new browser extension for Chrome and Firefox called Knockoff filters counterfeit and sketchy brands on Amazon by using a brand authenticity check within the browser. The tool helps users manage search results with flexible filtering settings and also offers the option to remove sponsored products. Its focus on privacy and user control aims to enhance the online shopping experience.
Lawyer Uses ChatGPT to Generate Fake Witnesses and Testimony in Murder Appeal
A New Mexico attorney submitted a legal brief containing fabricated witnesses and testimony generated by ChatGPT in a murder appeal case. The New Mexico Supreme Court issued a direct contempt order, highlighting the risks of relying on AI for legal work without verification.
USPS Pilots Dash Cams in Mail Trucks to Scan Roads for Data Collection and Safety
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is conducting a pilot program to install Next Base dash cameras in 100 mail trucks in Washington, DC. These cameras will continuously scan roads, signage, and map roadways and sidewalks to collect data for "community safety" and roadway conditions. The initiative leverages the USPS fleet's travel frequency for data collection, with the pilot expected to last several months.
Study Finds Major Tech Companies Enable Deepfake Abuse Through Infrastructure Services
A new study published in Stanford's Journal of Online Trust and Safety reveals that prominent web infrastructure providers like Cloudflare, Google, and Namecheap support websites hosting non-consensual AI-generated imagery. These companies provide essential services such as hosting, domain registration, and SSL certificates, despite their own terms of service prohibiting illegal content. The findings indicate that these providers are integral to the proliferation of abusive deepfakes.
Federal Program Compels Cities to Share License Plate Reader Data with Surveillance Centers
The Trump administration is utilizing the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, an anti-drug trafficking grant from the 1980s, to mandate that cities funnel their automated license plate reader (ALPR) data into federal surveillance centers. This system aggregates data from local law enforcement's ALPR cameras, including those from companies like Flock and Axon, making it accessible to various federal, state, and local agencies. In some instances, this data is also shared with the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) National License Plate Reader Program (NLPRP), raising concerns about data retention and access beyond local control.
Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' for US Users Following Executive Order
Google Maps has updated its display for users in the United States, renaming "Lake Ontario" to "Lake America" following an executive order by President Trump and an update to the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). This change aligns with Google's policy of reflecting official government name changes for bodies of water, while users in Canada will continue to see "Lake Ontario." This is the second such renaming, following "Gulf of America" in February 2025.
Tech Workers Connect ChatGPT to Toyota Corolla for Driving Experiment
A group of tech workers named DrivingBench connected general-purpose large language models (LLMs) to a Toyota Corolla, enabling one model, GPT-6 Astra, to navigate a cone course in a parking lot. This experiment aimed to test the real-world driving capabilities of untrained, off-the-shelf AI models and establish a new benchmark for LLM performance in physical environments.
Microsoft Copilot AI Chatbot Prompts and User-Uploaded Images Reviewed by Human Contractors
Human contractors working to improve Microsoft's Copilot AI chatbot are reviewing user prompts and uploaded images, including sexually explicit and disturbing content. This practice reveals that AI companies use human workers to moderate both text and visual inputs, raising privacy concerns for users who expect their interactions with AI tools to remain private.
Humans Reportedly Reviewing ChatGPT Conversations; Automattic CEO Briefly Ousted
Reports indicate that human contractors are reviewing user prompts and conversations from ChatGPT. Additionally, Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg was temporarily removed from his position before regaining control.
Anti-Flock Surveillance Movement Labeled as Chinese Propaganda in TV Reports
Local TV news stations aired reports claiming the anti-Flock surveillance movement is a "far-left network" funded by China and billionaires. This narrative contradicts the movement's decentralized nature and mirrors previous attempts by Flock CEO Garrett Langley to discredit critics of their ALPR camera systems.
Quantum Galileo Interferometer Confirms Equivalence Principle at Quantum Scale
Researchers successfully tested Einstein's equivalence principle at the quantum level using a new instrument called the Quantum Galileo Interferometer (QGI). This experiment provides a fundamental test at the interface of quantum theory and gravity, addressing a long-standing challenge in modern physics.
NY Gubernatorial Nominee Uses AI-Generated Video, Prompts Election Law Complaint
Republican New York gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman posted an AI-generated video depicting political opponents, leading the New York State Democratic Party to file a complaint with the Board of Elections. The complaint alleges a violation of state election law requiring disclosure for "materially deceptive" AI-generated content in political communications. This event highlights ongoing issues with AI use in political campaigns and the enforcement of new regulations.
Cybercrime Researchers Tracked Sextortion Scammer to Nigeria
Cybercrime experts Erin West and Paul Raffile successfully tracked a sextortion scammer to his location in Nigeria by posing as a target. This operation provided direct insight into the methods and living conditions of some scammers, highlighting the prevalence and impact of sextortion targeting youth.
ICE Plans to Purchase Boston Dynamics Spot Robots for Officer Safety
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to spend between one and two million dollars on Boston Dynamics Spot robots and accessories to enhance officer safety and situational awareness in hazardous environments. This acquisition follows ICE's recent spending on other technologies, indicating a continued investment in new tools for law enforcement operations.
AI-generated 'ghost' authors contaminate academic publishing and online content
A new preprint research paper from Samsung and the University of Warsaw reveals that AI models consistently generate specific non-existent names, such as Elena Vasquez and Marcus Chen, which are then appearing as authors on hundreds of academic papers and online documents. This phenomenon highlights a growing issue of AI-generated content infiltrating and potentially compromising the integrity of academic and informational sources.
Cocomelon Studio Moonbug Entertainment Directs Animators to Experiment with AI
Moonbug Entertainment, the studio behind Cocomelon, has instructed its animators to begin experimenting with AI tools for content creation. This move indicates a major children's entertainment company is exploring AI integration, albeit with guardrails due to legal and copyright concerns.
Florida Deputy Resigns After Using Flock System to Stalk Ex-Girlfriend
A Brevard County deputy resigned following an internal investigation that found he used the Flock license plate reader system to stalk his ex-girlfriend. The investigation also uncovered other instances of misconduct, including racism and abuse. This incident highlights potential misuse of surveillance technology by law enforcement personnel.
Student Allegedly Photographed US Facilities for Chinese Government Near Chicago Airport
A Chinese national studying in Canada was allegedly directed by a Chinese official to photograph sensitive facilities near Chicago O'Hare International Airport. This incident highlights continued efforts by Chinese state actors to gather imagery of US locations using students.
Scientists discover vast underground thermal anomaly on Mars
Scientists have discovered a thermal anomaly deep within Mars' mantle, with the southern hemisphere being 400 to 750°F hotter than the northern half. This finding, published in Nature, provides new evidence for understanding the Martian dichotomy, the significant geographical difference between the planet's two hemispheres.
Flock CEO Falsely Denies Surveillance Tech's Role in Abortion Case to Law Enforcement
Flock CEO Garrett Langley falsely claimed to Ohio law enforcement and government officials that his company's surveillance technology was not involved in tracking a woman in an abortion case, despite court records and police reports confirming its use. Langley's private statements contradict public efforts to reframe the company's image and show him advising police on media strategy.
ICE Seeks Contractor for Nationwide Voter Data Access to Detect Fraud
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking a federal contractor to obtain and manage voter registration and history data from all 50 states and U.S. territories. This initiative, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), aims to support fraud detection and data segmentation activities, raising questions about its broader implications for immigration enforcement.
Study Finds Earth Microbes Could Survive on Lunar Polar Regions for at Least a Week
A new study published in Science Advances indicates that Earth microbes could survive on specific regions of the Moon, particularly in the polar areas, for at least a week. This finding suggests the lunar surface is less hostile than previously thought and has implications for future human missions, including the Artemis program.
Bodycam Footage Reveals Officer Abused License Plate Readers to Stalk Woman
Body camera footage obtained by 404 Media shows a Florida police officer admitting to using police databases and license plate reader cameras to stalk and pull over a woman he met. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of law enforcement personnel misusing surveillance tools for personal reasons, despite claims from companies like Flock that such abuses are rare.
Pornhub Parent Company Aylo to Pay $120 Million to Settle Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Aylo, the parent company of Pornhub, will pay $120 million to settle two class-action lawsuits alleging violations of federal sex trafficking and child sexual abuse imagery laws. This settlement resolves claims that its platforms profited from child abuse material and includes agreements on content moderation practices.
Expert Witness Used ChatGPT to Draft Report Defending 3M in Deadly Explosion Lawsuit
An expert witness hired by 3M in a lawsuit concerning a fatal 2020 explosion used ChatGPT to write significant portions of his expert report, including prompts asking the AI to defend 3M and state it was "0% at fault." This incident highlights the increasing presence of AI in legal proceedings, extending beyond AI-generated briefings to expert testimonies, and raises concerns about the discoverability and potential embarrassment of AI prompts in court cases.
AI-Generated 3D Models Flood Market, But Account for Only 1% of Revenue on CGTrader
CGTrader reports that AI-generated 3D models constitute one-sixth of uploads but only 1% of revenue on its marketplace, indicating a significant disparity between supply and demand. Buyers prioritize quality over price, finding AI-generated models often unsatisfactory, especially for 3D printing.
DecryptAds Tool Unmasks Ad Brokers Tracking Location Data Across Websites and Apps
A new research tool called DecryptAds has been launched to expose advertising brokers that track user location data and operate across various websites and apps. This tool consolidates data from ads.txt, app-ads.txt, and sellers.json files, making it easier to investigate the ad tech industry's data sharing practices.
Medical Research Service 'Research Gold' Found to Use AI Despite Claims of Human-Written Content
Research Gold, a service offering medical research assistance, claims to provide "100% human-written" content and lists non-existent, AI-generated PhD reviewers. The company also uses the identities of real methodologists without their knowledge and employs AI for customer interactions. This misrepresentation impacts the integrity of research support services and highlights the challenges of verifying claims in the AI era.
ICE to Pay LexisNexis Millions for Data Integration with Palantir Platform
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to pay LexisNexis $6.7 million for continued access to data from tools like LexID and Accurint Virtual Crime Center. This data will be fed into ICE's Palantir platform, ELITE, to support screening, vetting, lead development, and criminal analysis activities, particularly for deportation efforts.
SAP Halts Most Travel and Hiring Due to Rising AI Costs
SAP has suspended most internal travel and non-AI-related hiring due to the increasing costs associated with AI investments and usage. This measure reflects a broader industry challenge where companies are grappling with the financial implications of integrating AI technologies.
SEC Purchased Global Airline Ticketing Data, Including International Flights
The SEC acquired access to over a billion airline ticketing records, encompassing domestic and international flights, from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC). This data included passenger names, credit card numbers, and travel itineraries, raising concerns about privacy and government access to personal information without warrants.
Scientists Propose Fifth 'Dark Dimension' to Explain Dark Energy and Matter
Scientists have proposed a fifth "dark dimension" that could explain both dark energy and dark matter, building on string theory. This hypothesis suggests that dark energy's value changes over time, a concept supported by recent data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). The proposal offers a potential solution to major mysteries in cosmology and could be observationally detected in the near future.
Lawsuit Alleges Illegality in AI-Generated TikTok Shop Supplement Marketing
A lawsuit has been filed against Ambrosia Brands, alleging that its subsidiary Rosabella directed the creation of hundreds of AI-generated TikTok Shop videos to market supplements. This legal action follows a content creator's YouTube video detailing how he used AI tools to generate viral marketing content for Rosabella, earning significant affiliate sales.
Spotify Users Create Tools to Identify AI-Generated Music Due to Platform's Lack of Labeling
Spotify users are developing independent tools like SoullessMusic.com and SlopTracker to identify AI-generated music on the platform, as Spotify does not officially label such content. This user-driven effort highlights a growing concern about the proliferation of AI-created music and potential intellectual property issues on streaming services.
Judge Identifies AI-Generated Errors in Official Court Transcript, Cautions Court Reporters
A judge discovered errors in a court transcript that appeared to be generated by AI, leading to a public warning for court reporters regarding the use of such tools. This incident marks the first public notice given to a court reporter for AI-generated errors, raising concerns about the accuracy of official trial records.
Leaked Document Details ICE's Extensive Surveillance Capabilities
A leaked document, titled "ICE Wide Analytical Tools," reveals the broad range of surveillance and investigative technologies available to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, including tools for location tracking, facial recognition, and anonymous online operations. This disclosure provides a rare public look into the agency's technological arsenal, which includes access to personal data, social media monitoring, and vehicle tracking. The document highlights the significant data collection and surveillance capabilities ICE possesses, raising questions about privacy and the scope of government monitoring.
Verona, Wisconsin Covers Flock Cameras Amid Removal Dispute
Verona, Wisconsin, has covered its automated license plate cameras with trash bags while awaiting removal by Flock. This decision arose after the city council voted to terminate their contract with Flock but encountered challenges regarding the proper removal and legalities surrounding the cameras.
Flock Enables Law Enforcement to Track Individuals Using Surveillance Technology
Law enforcement agencies are now using Flock technology to track individuals based on physical descriptions, such as "male with tattoos." This raises significant privacy and ethical concerns regarding surveillance practices and the impact on civil liberties.