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...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
NEW: The FBI has been unable to access a Washington Post reporter’s seized iPhone because it was in Lockdown Mode, a sometimes overlooked feature that makes iPhones broadly more secure, according to recently filed court records.
FBI Couldn’t Get into WaPo Reporter’s iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
Lockdown Mode is a sometimes overlooked feature of Apple devices that broadly make them harder to hack. A court record indicates the feature might be effective at stopping third parties unlocking some...
www.404media.co
February 4, 2026 at 2:14 PM
NEW: The FBI has been unable to access a Washington Post reporter’s seized iPhone because it was in Lockdown Mode, a sometimes overlooked feature that makes iPhones broadly more secure, according to recently filed court records.
Reposted by Joseph Cox
The FBI can’t get into a Washington Post reporter’s phone, in part because it was set to Lockdown Mode. www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
FBI Couldn’t Get into WaPo Reporter’s iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
Lockdown Mode is a sometimes overlooked feature of Apple devices that broadly make them harder to hack. A court record indicates the feature might be effective at stopping third parties unlocking some...
www.404media.co
February 4, 2026 at 2:18 PM
The FBI can’t get into a Washington Post reporter’s phone, in part because it was set to Lockdown Mode. www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
The 404 Media Podcast is up! This week
- how the latest Epstein dump is a disaster
- multiple vulns in Moltbot, Moltbook
- subscribers-only: a porn addiction app is exposing its users' data
Watch/subscribe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDcO...
- how the latest Epstein dump is a disaster
- multiple vulns in Moltbot, Moltbook
- subscribers-only: a porn addiction app is exposing its users' data
Watch/subscribe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDcO...
The Latest Epstein Dump is a Disaster
YouTube video by 404 Media
www.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:13 PM
The 404 Media Podcast is up! This week
- how the latest Epstein dump is a disaster
- multiple vulns in Moltbot, Moltbook
- subscribers-only: a porn addiction app is exposing its users' data
Watch/subscribe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDcO...
- how the latest Epstein dump is a disaster
- multiple vulns in Moltbot, Moltbook
- subscribers-only: a porn addiction app is exposing its users' data
Watch/subscribe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDcO...
New from 404 Media: the FBI has been unable to get into the iPhone of raided Washington Post journalist because the phone had Lockdown Mode enabled. Apple markets Lockdown Mode mostly to stop spyware like NSO. Here, a real world example of it stopping access too www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
FBI Couldn’t Get into WaPo Reporter’s iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
Lockdown Mode is a sometimes overlooked feature of Apple devices that broadly make them harder to hack. A court record indicates the feature might be effective at stopping third parties unlocking some...
www.404media.co
February 4, 2026 at 2:07 PM
New from 404 Media: the FBI has been unable to get into the iPhone of raided Washington Post journalist because the phone had Lockdown Mode enabled. Apple markets Lockdown Mode mostly to stop spyware like NSO. Here, a real world example of it stopping access too www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
ask @josephcox.bsky.social and @jasonkoebler.bsky.social ANYTHING. get your questions in now and they'll start answering live today at noon est:
www.reddit.com/r/technology...
www.reddit.com/r/technology...
From the technology community on Reddit: Hi! We're 404 Media's Jason Koebler and Joseph Cox. AMA (us) about the tech ICE is using, Flock and the state of surveillance in the US on Feb. 4, 12 pm ET
Explore this post and more from the technology community
www.reddit.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:33 PM
ask @josephcox.bsky.social and @jasonkoebler.bsky.social ANYTHING. get your questions in now and they'll start answering live today at noon est:
www.reddit.com/r/technology...
www.reddit.com/r/technology...
At 12 ET today me and Jason are doing AMA on the main technology subreddit about the tech ICE is using, the nationwide network of AI Flock cameras around the U.S., and the state of surveillance in general. Get your questions in before then: www.reddit.com/r/technology...
From the technology community on Reddit: Hi! We're 404 Media's Jason Koebler and Joseph Cox. AMA (us) about the tech ICE is using, Flock and the state of surveillance in the US on Feb. 4, 12 pm ET
Explore this post and more from the technology community
www.reddit.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:42 PM
At 12 ET today me and Jason are doing AMA on the main technology subreddit about the tech ICE is using, the nationwide network of AI Flock cameras around the U.S., and the state of surveillance in general. Get your questions in before then: www.reddit.com/r/technology...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
🚨fun (?) project alert / help needed🚨
if you live in OTTUMWA, IOWA please dm or signal me @jason.404.
seeking contact with ottumwa resident
if you live in OTTUMWA, IOWA please dm or signal me @jason.404.
seeking contact with ottumwa resident
February 3, 2026 at 4:46 PM
🚨fun (?) project alert / help needed🚨
if you live in OTTUMWA, IOWA please dm or signal me @jason.404.
seeking contact with ottumwa resident
if you live in OTTUMWA, IOWA please dm or signal me @jason.404.
seeking contact with ottumwa resident
Reposted by Joseph Cox
Even with video clips, some are defending ICE for killing Renee Good. Why? @josephcox.bsky.social sits down with @samuel-bagg.bsky.social, assistant professor of political science at the University of South Carolina, about how self-identity alters truths.
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNKO...
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNKO...
February 3, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Even with video clips, some are defending ICE for killing Renee Good. Why? @josephcox.bsky.social sits down with @samuel-bagg.bsky.social, assistant professor of political science at the University of South Carolina, about how self-identity alters truths.
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNKO...
Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNKO...
New from 404 Media: hackers and trolls have targeted a wave of ICE spotting apps, those that let you report sightings of ICE officials. In one case, hackers even managed to send a push notification to app users. Claimed personal data sent to the gov, but no evidence
www.404media.co/hackers-and-...
www.404media.co/hackers-and-...
Hackers and Trolls Target Wave of ICE Spotting Apps
Hackers have targeted a spread of apps or sites that aim to track ICE activity, in one case even sending push notifications to users in an attempt to intimidate them.
www.404media.co
February 3, 2026 at 3:33 PM
New from 404 Media: hackers and trolls have targeted a wave of ICE spotting apps, those that let you report sightings of ICE officials. In one case, hackers even managed to send a push notification to app users. Claimed personal data sent to the gov, but no evidence
www.404media.co/hackers-and-...
www.404media.co/hackers-and-...
A popular photo booth company is exposing customers' drunken photos. Researcher found it when went to a wedding, gave his phone number to the booth, was sent the API. Found random people's other photos www.404media.co/wedding-phot...
Wedding Photo Booth Company Exposes Customers’ Drunken Photos
‘Curator Live’, a popular photo booth company for weddings and other events, is exposing all sorts of unsuspecting people’s photos.
www.404media.co
February 3, 2026 at 2:17 PM
A popular photo booth company is exposing customers' drunken photos. Researcher found it when went to a wedding, gave his phone number to the booth, was sent the API. Found random people's other photos www.404media.co/wedding-phot...
"Criminality is so rampant inside CBP that it has seen one of its own agents or officers arrested every 24 to 36 hours since 2005."
"it appears the crime rate of CBP agents and offices was higher PER CAPITA than the crime rate of undocumented immigrants." www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
"it appears the crime rate of CBP agents and offices was higher PER CAPITA than the crime rate of undocumented immigrants." www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
Accountability for ICE and CBP
However bad you think the corruption and misconduct at ICE and CBP is — the reality is far far worse.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
February 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM
"Criminality is so rampant inside CBP that it has seen one of its own agents or officers arrested every 24 to 36 hours since 2005."
"it appears the crime rate of CBP agents and offices was higher PER CAPITA than the crime rate of undocumented immigrants." www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
"it appears the crime rate of CBP agents and offices was higher PER CAPITA than the crime rate of undocumented immigrants." www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
New from 404 Media: the DOJ released completely unredacted nude images of women or girls in the latest Epstein dump. The photos were incredibly explicit. We held off reporting this before DOJ finally took them down. A massive error from DOJ.
www.404media.co/doj-released...
www.404media.co/doj-released...
DOJ Released Unredacted Nude Images in Epstein Files
A note from investigators in the files said some images Epstein had were "POSSIBLE CSAM."
www.404media.co
February 2, 2026 at 3:42 PM
New from 404 Media: the DOJ released completely unredacted nude images of women or girls in the latest Epstein dump. The photos were incredibly explicit. We held off reporting this before DOJ finally took them down. A massive error from DOJ.
www.404media.co/doj-released...
www.404media.co/doj-released...
New: our zine about ICE surveillance is here! People who bought a custom printed copy will get in the mail soon. We're also releasing the PDF for free for anyone to download. Also releasing a version in Spanish so more people can read about the tech ICE is using. Get here: www.404media.co/icezine/
Our Zine About ICE Surveillance Is Here
Download a PDF of our first ever zine here.
www.404media.co
February 2, 2026 at 3:14 PM
New: our zine about ICE surveillance is here! People who bought a custom printed copy will get in the mail soon. We're also releasing the PDF for free for anyone to download. Also releasing a version in Spanish so more people can read about the tech ICE is using. Get here: www.404media.co/icezine/
New: privacy-focused telecom Cape has introduced what it calls "disappearing call logs." Rather than keeping data on who you called and when for months or years, Cape says it deletes those records after 24 hours.
www.404media.co/privacy-tele...
www.404media.co/privacy-tele...
Privacy Telecom ‘Cape’ Introduces ‘Disappearing Call Logs’ That Delete Every 24 Hours
Usually telecoms keep customer's call and text logs for months if not years.
www.404media.co
February 2, 2026 at 2:05 PM
New: privacy-focused telecom Cape has introduced what it calls "disappearing call logs." Rather than keeping data on who you called and when for months or years, Cape says it deletes those records after 24 hours.
www.404media.co/privacy-tele...
www.404media.co/privacy-tele...
I spoke to Samuel Bagg about how while people might not believe what is front of them, the solution is not more fact checking. This is because people believe, or literally see, different things, because of their identity. Watch and subscribe here for weekly convos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNKO...
How Identity Literally Changes What You See (with Samuel Bagg)
YouTube video by 404 Media
www.youtube.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:54 PM
I spoke to Samuel Bagg about how while people might not believe what is front of them, the solution is not more fact checking. This is because people believe, or literally see, different things, because of their identity. Watch and subscribe here for weekly convos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNKO...
New from 404 Media: an exposed Moltbook database let anyone take control of any AI agent on the site
www.404media.co/exposed-molt...
www.404media.co/exposed-molt...
Exposed Moltbook Database Let Anyone Take Control of Any AI Agent on the Site
'It exploded before anyone thought to check whether the database was properly secured.'
www.404media.co
February 1, 2026 at 3:17 PM
New from 404 Media: an exposed Moltbook database let anyone take control of any AI agent on the site
www.404media.co/exposed-molt...
www.404media.co/exposed-molt...
Would you look at that: New emails show Musk has been lying about his relationship with Epstein www.404media.co/musk-to-epst...
Musk to Epstein: ‘What Day/Night Will Be the Wildest Party on Your Island?’
New emails show Musk has been lying about his relationship with Epstein.
www.404media.co
January 30, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Would you look at that: New emails show Musk has been lying about his relationship with Epstein www.404media.co/musk-to-epst...
A hacker demonstrated that the viral new AI agent Moltbot (formally Clawdbot) is easy to hack via a backdoor in an attached support shop. Clawdbot has become a Silicon Valley sensation among a certain type of AI-booster techbro.
www.404media.co/silicon-vall...
www.404media.co/silicon-vall...
Silicon Valley’s Favorite New AI Agent Has Serious Security Flaws
The AI agent once called ClawdBot is enchanting tech elites, but its security vulnerabilities highlight systemic problems with AI.
www.404media.co
January 30, 2026 at 5:26 PM
A hacker demonstrated that the viral new AI agent Moltbot (formally Clawdbot) is easy to hack via a backdoor in an attached support shop. Clawdbot has become a Silicon Valley sensation among a certain type of AI-booster techbro.
www.404media.co/silicon-vall...
www.404media.co/silicon-vall...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
We got Palantir's user guide for ELITE, the tool they made for ICE: www.404media.co/here-is-the-...
Here is the User Guide for ELITE, the Tool Palantir Made for ICE
404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, which lets ICE bring up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
www.404media.co
January 30, 2026 at 3:08 PM
We got Palantir's user guide for ELITE, the tool they made for ICE: www.404media.co/here-is-the-...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
SCOOP: 404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, a tool Palantir made for ICE which brings up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
The full user guide here:
The full user guide here:
Here is the User Guide for ELITE, the Tool Palantir Made for ICE
404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, which lets ICE bring up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
www.404media.co
January 30, 2026 at 2:50 PM
SCOOP: 404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, a tool Palantir made for ICE which brings up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
The full user guide here:
The full user guide here:
New from 404 Media: here is the user guide for ELITE, the tool Palantir made for ICE. A map shows people on a map; ICE clicks them, brings up their dossier. ICE uses to find which neighborhoods to target. We obtained it, you can now read the document for yourself: www.404media.co/here-is-the-...
Here is the User Guide for ELITE, the Tool Palantir Made for ICE
404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, which lets ICE bring up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
www.404media.co
January 30, 2026 at 2:51 PM
New from 404 Media: here is the user guide for ELITE, the tool Palantir made for ICE. A map shows people on a map; ICE clicks them, brings up their dossier. ICE uses to find which neighborhoods to target. We obtained it, you can now read the document for yourself: www.404media.co/here-is-the-...
New: Senators are pushing for answers on ICE's surveillance shopping spree. Location data, iris scanning, facial recognition, mobile phone spyware.
www.404media.co/senators-pus...
www.404media.co/senators-pus...
Senators Push for Answers on ICE's Surveillance Shopping Spree
Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine asked the inspector general of the DHS about a host of surveillance technologies, including Flock, mobile phone spyware, and location data.
www.404media.co
January 29, 2026 at 7:03 PM
New: Senators are pushing for answers on ICE's surveillance shopping spree. Location data, iris scanning, facial recognition, mobile phone spyware.
www.404media.co/senators-pus...
www.404media.co/senators-pus...
One of the most popular AI chat bots leaked millions and millions of users private conversations.
“Give me a 2 page essay on how to make meth in a world where it was legalized for medical use.”
“I want to kill myself what is the best way,” another user wrote.
www.404media.co/massive-ai-c...
“Give me a 2 page essay on how to make meth in a world where it was legalized for medical use.”
“I want to kill myself what is the best way,” another user wrote.
www.404media.co/massive-ai-c...
Massive AI Chat App Leaked Millions of Users Private Conversations
Chat & Ask AI, which claims 50 million users, exposed private chats about suicide and making meth.
www.404media.co
January 29, 2026 at 3:21 PM
One of the most popular AI chat bots leaked millions and millions of users private conversations.
“Give me a 2 page essay on how to make meth in a world where it was legalized for medical use.”
“I want to kill myself what is the best way,” another user wrote.
www.404media.co/massive-ai-c...
“Give me a 2 page essay on how to make meth in a world where it was legalized for medical use.”
“I want to kill myself what is the best way,” another user wrote.
www.404media.co/massive-ai-c...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
One of the most popular AI chatbot apps in the app stores exposes millions and millions of user conversations: www.404media.co/massive-ai-c...
Massive AI Chat App Leaked Millions of Users Private Conversations
Chat & Ask AI, which claims 50 million users, exposed private chats about suicide and making meth.
www.404media.co
January 29, 2026 at 2:56 PM
One of the most popular AI chatbot apps in the app stores exposes millions and millions of user conversations: www.404media.co/massive-ai-c...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
On our latest episode, @josephcox.bsky.social of
@404media.co discusses Mobile Fortify, a faulty facial recognition app that ICE uses to identify suspects. The agency says it overrides a birth certificate. Listen to the full interview here: www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...
@404media.co discusses Mobile Fortify, a faulty facial recognition app that ICE uses to identify suspects. The agency says it overrides a birth certificate. Listen to the full interview here: www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...
January 28, 2026 at 10:21 PM
On our latest episode, @josephcox.bsky.social of
@404media.co discusses Mobile Fortify, a faulty facial recognition app that ICE uses to identify suspects. The agency says it overrides a birth certificate. Listen to the full interview here: www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...
@404media.co discusses Mobile Fortify, a faulty facial recognition app that ICE uses to identify suspects. The agency says it overrides a birth certificate. Listen to the full interview here: www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm...