Joseph Cox
@josephcox.bsky.social
Hacking/crime/privacy journalist. Author of DARK WIRE, buy here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/joseph-cox/dark-wire/9781541702691/#preorder Co-founder of 404 Media. Signal: joseph.404 Email: [email protected]
Pinned
Joseph Cox
@josephcox.bsky.social
· Oct 8
Today's the day: DARK WIRE, my book on how the FBI secretly ran a tech company for criminals and wiretapped the world, coming to paperback. Updated with many more details. An Economist and FT book of the year. 404 Media subs: you just got 20% to your email www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/josep...
New from 404 Media: DHS’s immigrant-hunting app just got removed from the Google Play Store. Let’s local cops do facial recognition on people, app says to contact ICE or not. I’m told Google workers took issue with app in an internal report. We revealed app in Nov
www.404media.co/dhss-immigra...
www.404media.co/dhss-immigra...
DHS’s Immigrant-Hunting App Removed from Google Play Store
The app, called Mobile Identify, was launched in November, and lets local cops use facial recognition to hunt immigrants on behalf of ICE. It is unclear if the removal is temporary or not.
www.404media.co
December 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM
New from 404 Media: DHS’s immigrant-hunting app just got removed from the Google Play Store. Let’s local cops do facial recognition on people, app says to contact ICE or not. I’m told Google workers took issue with app in an internal report. We revealed app in Nov
www.404media.co/dhss-immigra...
www.404media.co/dhss-immigra...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
I have a fun presentation for you to watch, all about the AI-nuclear powered future Trump and Tech would love to deliver unto us all
‘Atoms for Algorithms:’ The Trump Administration’s Top Nuclear Scientists Think AI Can Replace Humans in Power Plants
A presentation at the International Atomic Energy Agency unveiled Big Tech’s vision of an AI and nuclear fueled future.
www.404media.co
December 4, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I have a fun presentation for you to watch, all about the AI-nuclear powered future Trump and Tech would love to deliver unto us all
New from 404 Media: the Trump administration's top nuclear scientists think AI can replace humans in power plants.
“The goal is simple: to double the productivity and impact of American science and engineering within a decade.”
www.404media.co/nuclear-rian...
“The goal is simple: to double the productivity and impact of American science and engineering within a decade.”
www.404media.co/nuclear-rian...
‘Atoms for Algorithms:’ The Trump Administration’s Top Nuclear Scientists Think AI Can Replace Humans in Power Plants
A presentation at the International Atomic Energy Agency unveiled Big Tech’s vision of an AI and nuclear fueled future.
www.404media.co
December 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM
New from 404 Media: the Trump administration's top nuclear scientists think AI can replace humans in power plants.
“The goal is simple: to double the productivity and impact of American science and engineering within a decade.”
www.404media.co/nuclear-rian...
“The goal is simple: to double the productivity and impact of American science and engineering within a decade.”
www.404media.co/nuclear-rian...
New from 404 Media: ChatGPT told a violent stalker to continue running his misogynistic and threat-filled podcast despite the “haters,” and to visit more gyms to find women. The man stalked women in multiple states, including touching and following from work
www.404media.co/chatgpt-spot...
www.404media.co/chatgpt-spot...
ChatGPT Told a Violent Stalker to Embrace the 'Haters,' Indictment Says
A newly filed indictment claims a wannabe influencer used ChatGPT as his "therapist" and "best friend" in his pursuit of the "wife type," while harassing women so aggressively they had to miss work a...
www.404media.co
December 3, 2025 at 5:37 PM
New from 404 Media: ChatGPT told a violent stalker to continue running his misogynistic and threat-filled podcast despite the “haters,” and to visit more gyms to find women. The man stalked women in multiple states, including touching and following from work
www.404media.co/chatgpt-spot...
www.404media.co/chatgpt-spot...
The 404 Media Podcast is up! This week
- something very strange is happening with Apple Podcasts
- someone changed a map of Ukraine seemingly related to a Polymarket bet
- subscribers: half the US now requires face/ID scans to watch porn
Subscribe on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4QC...
- something very strange is happening with Apple Podcasts
- someone changed a map of Ukraine seemingly related to a Polymarket bet
- subscribers: half the US now requires face/ID scans to watch porn
Subscribe on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4QC...
This Podcast Will Hack You
YouTube video by 404 Media
www.youtube.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:11 PM
The 404 Media Podcast is up! This week
- something very strange is happening with Apple Podcasts
- someone changed a map of Ukraine seemingly related to a Polymarket bet
- subscribers: half the US now requires face/ID scans to watch porn
Subscribe on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4QC...
- something very strange is happening with Apple Podcasts
- someone changed a map of Ukraine seemingly related to a Polymarket bet
- subscribers: half the US now requires face/ID scans to watch porn
Subscribe on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4QC...
Half of the U.S. now requires you to upload your ID or scan your face to watch porn. Obviously creates a massive risk handing over this personal data. We've already seen this with the Discord hack which impacted ID photos, etc
www.404media.co/missouri-age...
www.404media.co/missouri-age...
Half of the US Now Requires You to Upload Your ID or Scan Your Face to Watch Porn
Missouri’s age verification law, enacted on November 30, is the halfway mark for the sweep of age verification laws across the country.
www.404media.co
December 2, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Half of the U.S. now requires you to upload your ID or scan your face to watch porn. Obviously creates a massive risk handing over this personal data. We've already seen this with the Discord hack which impacted ID photos, etc
www.404media.co/missouri-age...
www.404media.co/missouri-age...
So it sure looks like someone invented a fake Russian advance in Ukraine to manipulate the online gambling market Polymarket. Gamblers are making money by betting on the outcomes of battles big and small in the war. Edited map is run by DC-based think tank
www.404media.co/unauthorized...
www.404media.co/unauthorized...
'Unauthorized' Edit to Ukraine's Frontline Maps Point to Polymarket's War Betting
It looks like someone invented a fake Russia advance in Ukraine to manipulate online gambling markets.
www.404media.co
December 1, 2025 at 6:48 PM
So it sure looks like someone invented a fake Russian advance in Ukraine to manipulate the online gambling market Polymarket. Gamblers are making money by betting on the outcomes of battles big and small in the war. Edited map is run by DC-based think tank
www.404media.co/unauthorized...
www.404media.co/unauthorized...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
Flock exposed training materials and a panel which tracked what its AI annotators were working on. It showed that Flock, which has cameras in thousands of U.S. communities, is using overseas workers. @evystadium.bsky.social has more.
Story by @josephcox.bsky.social:
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
Story by @josephcox.bsky.social:
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
December 1, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Flock exposed training materials and a panel which tracked what its AI annotators were working on. It showed that Flock, which has cameras in thousands of U.S. communities, is using overseas workers. @evystadium.bsky.social has more.
Story by @josephcox.bsky.social:
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
Story by @josephcox.bsky.social:
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
We're running a 💻 CYBER MONDAY 💻 sale. Get 25% off an annual subscription: access to all of our articles, podcasts, bonus content, FOIA Forum trainings, full text RSS feed, no ads, and support independent journalism. Get yours here: www.404media.co/cyber-monday...
December 1, 2025 at 2:42 PM
We're running a 💻 CYBER MONDAY 💻 sale. Get 25% off an annual subscription: access to all of our articles, podcasts, bonus content, FOIA Forum trainings, full text RSS feed, no ads, and support independent journalism. Get yours here: www.404media.co/cyber-monday...
Something very strange is happening to the Apple Podcasts app. Over the last few months I’ve found the Podcasts app will randomly open religion/spirituality podcasts. Sometimes app opens by itself and directs people to potentially malicious website. Apple no response
www.404media.co/someone-is-t...
www.404media.co/someone-is-t...
Someone Is Trying to ‘Hack’ People Through Apple Podcasts
For months Apple Podcasts has been randomly opening spirituality and religion podcasts by itself, and in one case directing listeners to a potentially malicious website.
www.404media.co
December 1, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Something very strange is happening to the Apple Podcasts app. Over the last few months I’ve found the Podcasts app will randomly open religion/spirituality podcasts. Sometimes app opens by itself and directs people to potentially malicious website. Apple no response
www.404media.co/someone-is-t...
www.404media.co/someone-is-t...
New from 404 Media: Flock is using overseas gig workers to build its surveillance AI. Flock has cameras in thousands of communities around the US which can detect vehicles and people. We found gig workers in the Philippines are reviewing footage to classify people
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
Flock Uses Overseas Gig Workers to Build its Surveillance AI
Flock accidentally exposed training materials and a panel which tracked what its AI annotators were working on. It showed that Flock, which has cameras in thousands of U.S. communities, is using worke...
www.404media.co
December 1, 2025 at 2:05 PM
New from 404 Media: Flock is using overseas gig workers to build its surveillance AI. Flock has cameras in thousands of communities around the US which can detect vehicles and people. We found gig workers in the Philippines are reviewing footage to classify people
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
www.404media.co/flock-uses-o...
I spoke to Michael Bobbitt, a former FBI official about how the FBI secretly ran an encrypted phone for criminals, backdoored it, and collected tens of millions of messages. Bobbitt was helping funnel intelligence from US to European authorities
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLeu...
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLeu...
Inside the Biggest Sting Operation Ever (with Michael Bobbitt)
YouTube video by 404 Media
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I spoke to Michael Bobbitt, a former FBI official about how the FBI secretly ran an encrypted phone for criminals, backdoored it, and collected tens of millions of messages. Bobbitt was helping funnel intelligence from US to European authorities
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLeu...
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLeu...
The 404 Media Podcast is up! This week
- a massive breach reveals people using an AI chatbot to make porn from women's yearbook photos
- how America became the world's side hustle with social media spamming
- how we helped shut down a warrantless surveillance program www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgOt...
- a massive breach reveals people using an AI chatbot to make porn from women's yearbook photos
- how America became the world's side hustle with social media spamming
- how we helped shut down a warrantless surveillance program www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgOt...
A Massive Breach Reveals the Truth Behind 'Secret Desires AI'
YouTube video by 404 Media
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The 404 Media Podcast is up! This week
- a massive breach reveals people using an AI chatbot to make porn from women's yearbook photos
- how America became the world's side hustle with social media spamming
- how we helped shut down a warrantless surveillance program www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgOt...
- a massive breach reveals people using an AI chatbot to make porn from women's yearbook photos
- how America became the world's side hustle with social media spamming
- how we helped shut down a warrantless surveillance program www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgOt...
Here is the video for our latest FOIA Forum, where we told you how to get information about Flock from your local agencies/government. Includes network audits, which are the files that show why exactly cops are using the cameras (helping ICE, for example): www.404media.co/heres-the-vi...
Here's the Video for Our Seventh FOIA Forum: Flock
Here is the archived video of our FOIA Forum about how to do reporting on Flock.
www.404media.co
November 25, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Here is the video for our latest FOIA Forum, where we told you how to get information about Flock from your local agencies/government. Includes network audits, which are the files that show why exactly cops are using the cameras (helping ICE, for example): www.404media.co/heres-the-vi...
Court Watch is a totally indispensable source of important, interesting, bizarre court cases every week. I definitely feel as a paid subscriber I am supporting something that serves the public good. They're trying to turn 4; subscribe if you can www.courtwatch.news/p/help-us-tu...
Help Us Turn Four
Our scrappy punch above-its-weight news site only survives with support from folks like you.
www.courtwatch.news
November 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Court Watch is a totally indispensable source of important, interesting, bizarre court cases every week. I definitely feel as a paid subscriber I am supporting something that serves the public good. They're trying to turn 4; subscribe if you can www.courtwatch.news/p/help-us-tu...
We need your help. Because 404 Media uses Ghost (a privacy-forward stack) we don't know much about our readers. Do they find us through articles, or podcasts? Are readers on Bluesky, Mastodon, both? Please fill this out to help us grow sustainably, it takes 1 min! www.404media.co/please-pleas...
Please, please do our reader survey
It'll take just a minute and help 404 Media figure out how to grow sustainably.
www.404media.co
November 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM
We need your help. Because 404 Media uses Ghost (a privacy-forward stack) we don't know much about our readers. Do they find us through articles, or podcasts? Are readers on Bluesky, Mastodon, both? Please fill this out to help us grow sustainably, it takes 1 min! www.404media.co/please-pleas...
New from 404 Media: X has shown where accounts are actually being run from, revealing many MAGA accounts are actually grifters in Eastern Europe, Asia, etc. But the situation is much, much worse. Entire guides specifically on how to squeeze US audiences with AI.
www.404media.co/americas-pol...
www.404media.co/americas-pol...
America’s Polarization Has Become the World's Side Hustle
The 'psyops' revealed by X are entirely the fault of the perverse incentives created by social media monetization programs.
www.404media.co
November 24, 2025 at 6:52 PM
New from 404 Media: X has shown where accounts are actually being run from, revealing many MAGA accounts are actually grifters in Eastern Europe, Asia, etc. But the situation is much, much worse. Entire guides specifically on how to squeeze US audiences with AI.
www.404media.co/americas-pol...
www.404media.co/americas-pol...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
I'm looking to talk to Tea users who were impacted by the hack we covered a few months ago. If you're one of those people please email me at [email protected] or hit me up on signal at @emanuel.404 www.404media.co/how-teas-fou...
How Tea’s Founder Convinced Millions of Women to Spill Their Secrets, Then Exposed Them to the World
A 404 Media investigation reveals how the man who started Tea, the ‘women dating safety’ app, tried to hire a female ‘face’ for the company and then hijack her grassroots community.
www.404media.co
November 24, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I'm looking to talk to Tea users who were impacted by the hack we covered a few months ago. If you're one of those people please email me at [email protected] or hit me up on signal at @emanuel.404 www.404media.co/how-teas-fou...
Players are roleplaying in Fortnite to teach each other their rights when encountering ICE officials
“I would slip [the warrant] under the door, but there’s no space under the door,” the agent says.
The civilian pauses. “Well. Sounds like a personal problem.”
www.404media.co/ice-defense-...
“I would slip [the warrant] under the door, but there’s no space under the door,” the agent says.
The civilian pauses. “Well. Sounds like a personal problem.”
www.404media.co/ice-defense-...
Inside an ICE Defense Training on Fortnite
A group of immigrant rights organizers are helping people use Fortnite to practice what to do if they encounter ICE agents in the wild.
www.404media.co
November 24, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Players are roleplaying in Fortnite to teach each other their rights when encountering ICE officials
“I would slip [the warrant] under the door, but there’s no space under the door,” the agent says.
The civilian pauses. “Well. Sounds like a personal problem.”
www.404media.co/ice-defense-...
“I would slip [the warrant] under the door, but there’s no space under the door,” the agent says.
The civilian pauses. “Well. Sounds like a personal problem.”
www.404media.co/ice-defense-...
Here's the full conversation between @jasonkoebler.bsky.social and @hypervisible.blacksky.app about how companies convinced consumers to spy on themselves, from Flock to Ring to more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kBg...
Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Spotify for more conversations like this every week
Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Spotify for more conversations like this every week
How Big Tech Has Convinced Us to Surveil Ourselves and Each Other
YouTube video by 404 Media
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Here's the full conversation between @jasonkoebler.bsky.social and @hypervisible.blacksky.app about how companies convinced consumers to spy on themselves, from Flock to Ring to more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kBg...
Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Spotify for more conversations like this every week
Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Spotify for more conversations like this every week
This is a really great conversation between @jasonkoebler.bsky.social and Chris Gilliard on Luxury Surveillance. The motivations behind surveillance tech companies, much more. Available to 404 Media subscribers today, sign up here 404media.co/membership/
November 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
This is a really great conversation between @jasonkoebler.bsky.social and Chris Gilliard on Luxury Surveillance. The motivations behind surveillance tech companies, much more. Available to 404 Media subscribers today, sign up here 404media.co/membership/
I wrote some of the behind the scenes of what led up to the U.S's major airlines stopping a program in which they sold Americans flight data to the government to be searched without a warrant. Came after our months-long reporting and lawmaker pressure www.404media.co/behind-the-b...
Behind the Blog: A Risograph Journey and Data Musings
This week, we discuss how data is accessed, AI in games, and more.
www.404media.co
November 21, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I wrote some of the behind the scenes of what led up to the U.S's major airlines stopping a program in which they sold Americans flight data to the government to be searched without a warrant. Came after our months-long reporting and lawmaker pressure www.404media.co/behind-the-b...
New: cops used Flock AI-enabled cameras to monitor No Kings protests around the country. Also monitored No Hands protests and protests against DOGE.
"Should serve as a warning of how it may be used in the future to suppress dissent."
www.404media.co/cops-used-fl...
"Should serve as a warning of how it may be used in the future to suppress dissent."
www.404media.co/cops-used-fl...
Cops Used Flock to Monitor No Kings Protests Around the Country
A massive cache of Flock lookups collated by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) shows as many as 50 federal, state, and local agencies used Flock during protests over the last year.
www.404media.co
November 21, 2025 at 2:14 PM
New: cops used Flock AI-enabled cameras to monitor No Kings protests around the country. Also monitored No Hands protests and protests against DOGE.
"Should serve as a warning of how it may be used in the future to suppress dissent."
www.404media.co/cops-used-fl...
"Should serve as a warning of how it may be used in the future to suppress dissent."
www.404media.co/cops-used-fl...
