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...
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...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
you may be relieved to know that the moderators of r/FuckingFascists, the subreddit that is what it sounds like, have drawn their line in the sand: www.404media.co/fascist-kink...
Fascist Kink Roleplay Subreddit Draws the Line: No More ICE Porn
You can no longer fuck ICE on r/FuckingFascists.
www.404media.co
January 28, 2026 at 8:36 PM
you may be relieved to know that the moderators of r/FuckingFascists, the subreddit that is what it sounds like, have drawn their line in the sand: www.404media.co/fascist-kink...
Hackers stole a wealth of data from Match, maker of Hinge, OkCupid. Downloaded the data. Lot of internal company stuff.
www.404media.co/match-group-...
www.404media.co/match-group-...
Hackers Say They've Hacked Match Group, Maker of Hinge, OkCupid
Match Group says it is investigating claims that a mass of internal data was hacked from its popular dating apps.
www.404media.co
January 28, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Hackers stole a wealth of data from Match, maker of Hinge, OkCupid. Downloaded the data. Lot of internal company stuff.
www.404media.co/match-group-...
www.404media.co/match-group-...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
Jon is joined by @josephcox.bsky.social and @radleybalko.bsky.social to discuss Palantir's advanced targeting technology and how federal agencies like ICE are using it.
January 28, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Jon is joined by @josephcox.bsky.social and @radleybalko.bsky.social to discuss Palantir's advanced targeting technology and how federal agencies like ICE are using it.
Reposted by Joseph Cox
it's hard to explain how horrible and dangerous this app and the people who made it are but I tried: www.404media.co/app-for-quit...
App for Quitting Porn Leaked Users' Masturbation Habits
Hundreds of thousands of users told the app intimate details about their sexual urges, which are now exposed.
www.404media.co
January 28, 2026 at 2:34 PM
it's hard to explain how horrible and dangerous this app and the people who made it are but I tried: www.404media.co/app-for-quit...
The 404 Media Podcast is up! This week
- Creators worry porn platform ManyVids is falling into ‘AI psychosis’
- a DHS surveillance footage mystery gets weirder
- subscribers-only: cops getting less transparent w/ Flock
Watch and subscribe here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFv0...
- Creators worry porn platform ManyVids is falling into ‘AI psychosis’
- a DHS surveillance footage mystery gets weirder
- subscribers-only: cops getting less transparent w/ Flock
Watch and subscribe here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFv0...
Creators Worry Porn Platform Is Falling Into ‘AI Psychosis’
YouTube video by 404 Media
www.youtube.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:26 PM
The 404 Media Podcast is up! This week
- Creators worry porn platform ManyVids is falling into ‘AI psychosis’
- a DHS surveillance footage mystery gets weirder
- subscribers-only: cops getting less transparent w/ Flock
Watch and subscribe here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFv0...
- Creators worry porn platform ManyVids is falling into ‘AI psychosis’
- a DHS surveillance footage mystery gets weirder
- subscribers-only: cops getting less transparent w/ Flock
Watch and subscribe here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFv0...
New from 404 Media: an app that is supposed to help people quit porn is leaking users' masturbation habits. Incredibly sensitive stuff. “I just can't do this man I honestly don't know what to do know more, such a loser, I need serious help,” one user wrote.
www.404media.co/app-for-quit...
www.404media.co/app-for-quit...
App for Quitting Porn Leaked Users' Masturbation Habits
Hundreds of thousands of users told the app intimate details about their sexual urges, which are now exposed.
www.404media.co
January 28, 2026 at 2:20 PM
New from 404 Media: an app that is supposed to help people quit porn is leaking users' masturbation habits. Incredibly sensitive stuff. “I just can't do this man I honestly don't know what to do know more, such a loser, I need serious help,” one user wrote.
www.404media.co/app-for-quit...
www.404media.co/app-for-quit...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
New: DHS now says that two weeks of missing surveillance footage from ICE's Broadview Detention center isn't "missing," it was never recorded in the first place and thus can't be produced in an abuse lawsuit. An utter shitshow:
www.404media.co/dhs-says-cri...
www.404media.co/dhs-says-cri...
DHS Says Critical ICE Surveillance Footage From Abuse Case Was Actually Never Recorded, Doesn't Matter
Court records reveal the incredibly sad state of ICE's evidence retention systems.
www.404media.co
January 27, 2026 at 4:42 PM
New: DHS now says that two weeks of missing surveillance footage from ICE's Broadview Detention center isn't "missing," it was never recorded in the first place and thus can't be produced in an abuse lawsuit. An utter shitshow:
www.404media.co/dhs-says-cri...
www.404media.co/dhs-says-cri...
New from 404 Media: DHS says critical ICE surveillance footage from abuse case was actually never recorded and doesn't matter. "Due to a technical issue, the Video System failed to record video or audio footage during that period."
www.404media.co/dhs-says-cri...
www.404media.co/dhs-says-cri...
DHS Says Critical ICE Surveillance Footage From Abuse Case Was Actually Never Recorded, Doesn't Matter
Court records reveal the incredibly sad state of ICE's evidence retention systems.
www.404media.co
January 27, 2026 at 5:21 PM
New from 404 Media: DHS says critical ICE surveillance footage from abuse case was actually never recorded and doesn't matter. "Due to a technical issue, the Video System failed to record video or audio footage during that period."
www.404media.co/dhs-says-cri...
www.404media.co/dhs-says-cri...
Many (most?) UK users soon won't be able to access Pornhub at all, in response to the country's age verification law. “We have seen six months of failure out of the United Kingdom, [...] because the law is failing.”
www.404media.co/uk-pornhub-b...
www.404media.co/uk-pornhub-b...
Many UK Users Soon Won't Be Able to Access Pornhub
Starting February 2, many people connecting from the UK will not be able to access the porn site and many others.
www.404media.co
January 27, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Many (most?) UK users soon won't be able to access Pornhub at all, in response to the country's age verification law. “We have seen six months of failure out of the United Kingdom, [...] because the law is failing.”
www.404media.co/uk-pornhub-b...
www.404media.co/uk-pornhub-b...
Feds have created a drone no fly zone that will stop people from filming ICE. It's not just above stationary facilities, but convoys of vehicles too.
www.404media.co/feds-create-...
www.404media.co/feds-create-...
Feds Create Drone No Fly Zone That Would Stop People Filming ICE
The FAA has altered a no fly zone designation that was originally created for US military bases to apply to DHS units.
www.404media.co
January 20, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Feds have created a drone no fly zone that will stop people from filming ICE. It's not just above stationary facilities, but convoys of vehicles too.
www.404media.co/feds-create-...
www.404media.co/feds-create-...
Here's our interview with Wikipedia's CTO on how the crucial resource will survive in the age of AI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=39LR...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=39LR...
How Wikipedia Will Survive in the Age of AI (With Wikipedia’s CTO Selena Deckelmann)
YouTube video by 404 Media
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Here's our interview with Wikipedia's CTO on how the crucial resource will survive in the age of AI
www.youtube.com/watch?v=39LR...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=39LR...
Reposted by Joseph Cox
One of the first things anyone learns about facial recognition is that it is often wrong and that it is biased. And yet ICE is using it all day every day to determine legal status & who to detain. And now we have a high-profile example of it being flat out wrong:
www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
ICE’s Facial Recognition App Misidentified a Woman. Twice
In testimony from a CBP official obtained by 404 Media, the official described how Mobile Fortify returned two different names after scanning a woman's face during an immigration raid. ICE has said th...
www.404media.co
January 19, 2026 at 3:55 PM
One of the first things anyone learns about facial recognition is that it is often wrong and that it is biased. And yet ICE is using it all day every day to determine legal status & who to detain. And now we have a high-profile example of it being flat out wrong:
www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
New from 404 Media: ICE's facial recognition app, which the agency is using to decide who to detain and deport, misidentified a woman. Twice.
ICE says results of the app are definitive and override a birth certificate; obviously this case shows the app is inaccurate
www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
ICE says results of the app are definitive and override a birth certificate; obviously this case shows the app is inaccurate
www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
ICE’s Facial Recognition App Misidentified a Woman. Twice
In testimony from a CBP official obtained by 404 Media, the official described how Mobile Fortify returned two different names after scanning a woman's face during an immigration raid. ICE has said th...
www.404media.co
January 19, 2026 at 2:31 PM
New from 404 Media: ICE's facial recognition app, which the agency is using to decide who to detain and deport, misidentified a woman. Twice.
ICE says results of the app are definitive and override a birth certificate; obviously this case shows the app is inaccurate
www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
ICE says results of the app are definitive and override a birth certificate; obviously this case shows the app is inaccurate
www.404media.co/ices-facial-...
I wrote more about putting the puzzle of Palantir and ICE together, why it feels like we're all dealing with different corners of the jigsaw
www.404media.co/behind-the-b...
www.404media.co/behind-the-b...
Behind the Blog: Putting the Puzzle Together
This week, we discuss the staying power of surveillance coverage, the jigsaw of reporting, and eyestrain.
www.404media.co
January 16, 2026 at 5:42 PM
I wrote more about putting the puzzle of Palantir and ICE together, why it feels like we're all dealing with different corners of the jigsaw
www.404media.co/behind-the-b...
www.404media.co/behind-the-b...
I compared the user interface in this photo to the leaked user guide I have for Mobile Fortify, and it's the same. Mobile Fortify is ICE's app for verifying someone's identity, immigration status, whether issued order of deportation. ICE says it overrides a birth certificate bsky.app/profile/donm...
The people wearing masks are scanning your face to capture your identity.
January 15, 2026 at 8:12 PM
I compared the user interface in this photo to the leaked user guide I have for Mobile Fortify, and it's the same. Mobile Fortify is ICE's app for verifying someone's identity, immigration status, whether issued order of deportation. ICE says it overrides a birth certificate bsky.app/profile/donm...
There's a lootboox with rare Pokemon cards sitting in the Pentagon food court. Thanks to a company called Lucky Box Vending, anyone passing through the center of American military power can pay to win a piece of randomized memorabilia from a machine www.404media.co/theres-a-loo...
There’s a Lootbox With Rare Pokémon Cards Sitting in the Pentagon Food Court
Frowned upon in video games, loot boxes are back in real life–and one’s in the Pentagon.
www.404media.co
January 15, 2026 at 7:19 PM
There's a lootboox with rare Pokemon cards sitting in the Pentagon food court. Thanks to a company called Lucky Box Vending, anyone passing through the center of American military power can pay to win a piece of randomized memorabilia from a machine www.404media.co/theres-a-loo...