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The 404 Media Podcast

404 Media
Artificial Intelligence
ICE
Privacy
FLOCK
Generative AI
Cybersecurity
Data Privacy
Surveillance
Reddit
Microsoft
Google
Openai
Social Media
Ai-Generated Content
Encryption
Meta
Surveillance Technology
4chan
Elon Musk
AI Technology

Welcome to the podcast from 404 Media where Joseph, Sam, Emanuel, and Jason catch you up on the stories we published this week. 404 Media is a journalist-owned digital media company exploring the way technology is shaping–and is shaped by–our world. We bring you unparalleled access to hidden worlds both online and IRL through investigative reporting, smart blogging, and breaking news. At 404 Media... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes217Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Tech NewsNewsTechnology

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Artwork for The 404 Media Podcast

Latest Episodes

Take control of your data footprint risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Go to incogni.com/404Media and use code 404MEDIA for 60% off an annual plan. That's code 404MEDIA at incogni.com/404Media

We start this week with Josep... more

This week Jason talks to Lindsey Isaacs and her lawyer, Patrick McGeehan. Last year, Lindsey was falsely arrested and imprisoned after authorities used Flock’s license plate reader system to pull over the wrong person in a hit-and-run that killed thr... more

YouTube

Take control of your data footprint risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Go to incogni.com/404Mediaand use code 404MEDIA for 60% off an annual plan. That's code 404MEDIA at incogni.com/404Media

We start this week with Emanue... more

YouTube

This week Joseph talks to Paul Raffile, a cybercrime researcher, and Erin West, founder of Operation Shamrock. The pair recently traveled to Nigeria to track down a scammer and meet a bunch more. This conversation is some fascinating insight into how... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Erin West
Founder of Operation Shamrock, nonprofit combating scams worldwide
Operation Shamrock
Episode: How Cyber Sleuths Tracked Down a Nigerian Scammer
Paul Raffile
Scam expert and commentator on the mechanics and impact of sextortion
Episode: How Cyber Sleuths Tracked Down a Nigerian Scammer
Anthony Ralphs
Activist behind the Darth Vader pro-privacy stunt related to Flock
Self/City Council activism
Episode: Cops Are Making Fake Flock Cameras and Amazon Packages
Bridget Todd
Creator and host of There Are No Girls on the Internet; MacArthur Foundation fellow; Berkman Klein Center affiliate
There Are No Girls on the Internet / MacArthur Foundation / Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society
Episode: Your AI Companion Doesn’t Love You with Bridget Todd
Hany Farid
Co-founder of GetReal; expert in detecting deepfakes; developer of PhotoDNA
GetReal / PhotoDNA
Episode: The Future of Deepfakes and the Decline of Reality with Hany Farid
William Gude
Founder/activist behind Film the Police LA
Film the Police LA
Episode: How to Surveil the Police (with William Gude)
Samuel Tunick
Personat issue in the case of wiping his Graphene OS phone
Activist, Stop Cop City movement (context)
Episode: This Man Might Go to Prison for Wiping His Phone
Jonathan Paz
Former FLOC employee and congressional candidate (Massachusetts 5th District)
FLOC (former), political candidate
Episode: Former Flock Employee Speaks Out: Says He Was ‘Lied To’
Janice Rose
Contributor to 404 Media
404 Media
Episode: Flock Came to My Town. Here’s What I Did

Hosts

Joseph Cox
Host of 404 Media Podcast; long-running lead host known for investigative tech reporting and coverage of surveillance, privacy, and platform governance.
Sam Cole
Co-host and journalist with a focus on investigative reporting and tech policy.
Emanuel Maiberg
Co-host and co-founder contributing reporting on technology, AI, and media.
Jason Koebler
Co-host and co-founder; leads investigative tech coverage and panel discussions.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Has potential

    While I enjoy the topics, the hosts saying, “like”, every 5 words makes this podcast unlistenable.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    JDHappy
    United States2 months ago
  • Best tech podcast, easily

    If you care about personal security issues, AI issues, freedom of internet issues, or just tech in general and what it is doing to us, this is the place to go. These are talented and passionate journalists working at the top of their game, independently, to verify stories and present real facts. Their stories are regularly quoted and referenced by more mainstream news outlets. Sometimes they break the news first. Sometimes they offer excellent insight into news already broken. 404 is one of the ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    warmgunn
    United States2 months ago
  • Left wing Drivel at times

    It’s not okay to subvert a legal process to remove aliens and send them back home. It’s called being a country. Every country has this. There is a legal process to be in the country and everyone must follow it. Stop trying to demonize ICE.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    wakefoot
    United States3 months ago
  • Excellent insight into rapid changes in tech

    I would recommend this podcast and the associated written content created by 404 Media for anyone who wants to keep abreast of the changing landscape of technology. Thank you to the show creators.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zippylips
    United States4 months ago
  • Transcripts > vocal fry

    This is the only podcast which I subscribe to but don’t listen to. I read the transcripts. The vibe is very much disaffected snobby valley girl with lukewarm lefty takes (ie Gawker). It says something about culture that we can talk about greatly consequential societal transformations being manifested by technocrats with a “uh, yah, like, this sucks, right?” tone and not be overwhelmed by cognitive dissonance. Tbh, I’d bet the hosts and listeners will put up little to no resistance before settlin... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Crisdjin
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Appreciation for timely coverage of underreported tech and policy stories.
Listeners praise rigorous, independent reporting and insightful interviews with expert guests.
Praise for linking issues to broader societal impacts beyond tech headlines.
Some critique cadence and repetitive phrasing, calling for tighter editing and production polish.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#5
United States/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#227
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#6
Canada/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#18
United Kingdom/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#226
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#8
Australia/News/Tech News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Former Flock Employee Speaks Out: Says He Was ‘Lied To’
Q: What was the process like for selling Flock to a city and actually getting the product installed?
There was a sales team approach, with police departments often initiating contact; the guest explains the complex interplay of budget approvals, civil rights concerns, and public perceptions in the deployment process.
Former Flock Employee Speaks Out: Says He Was ‘Lied To’
Q: Could you explain for people what your job at Flock was?
He describes being a government affairs manager, representing the company to municipalities, local officials, and conferences, and managing policy, regulatory, and budgeting considerations to get cameras approved at the city level.
This Man Bought Phone Location Data from Around the World
Q: What were the practical limitations or misconceptions about using commercial location data for tracking individuals or solving cases?
The data is rarely useful for pinpointing a single person; it is more effective for understanding broader movement patterns, like crowds, buildings, or locations of interest, and then reverse-engineering to devices and people. It works best for broad population-level insights rather than precise targeting of a specific individual.
This Man Bought Phone Location Data from Around the World
Q: How did you actually start buying location data in bulk, and what did the process look like in practice?
I approached data providers through advertisers and audience attribution companies, but this was not about placing ads; it was bulk data transfer from the provider's cloud to my own, then onward to other environments. It required large-scale data volumes and careful economics to make sense, roughly around hundreds of thousands of dollars per month in data purchases.
It’s So Not Over for Hollywood (with Devindra Hardawar)
Q: Is AI primarily a threat or a tool for filmmakers according to the guests?
It's a tool with potential if used carefully; it can enhance production and create new visuals, but it must respect authorship, licensing, and the human creative process.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The 404 Media Podcast

What is The 404 Media Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show features in-depth, often investigative tech journalism that tackles topics like AI, surveillance, privacy, and how digital ecosystems shape everyday life. Across episodes, the hosts routinely dissect powerful tech players, evolving security and policy issues, and the societal implications of rapid technical change. A standout element is the mix of tech-for-good rigor with candid on-the-record reporting, guest experts, and on-the-ground storytelling that pulls back the curtain on hidden systems and data practices. The format is sharp, script-free interview and panel-style conversations that frequently surface underreported stories with practical takeaways for policymakers, industry, and everyday users. Potential listeners who want c... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The 404 Media Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The 404 Media Podcast:

1. Tech Won't Save Us
2. Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000
3. Better Offline
4. This Machine Kills
5. Click Here

How many episodes of The 404 Media Podcast are there?

The 404 Media Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 217 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The 404 Media Podcast?

Recent guests on The 404 Media Podcast include:

1. Erin West
2. Paul Raffile
3. Anthony Ralphs
4. Bridget Todd
5. Hany Farid
6. William Gude
7. Samuel Tunick
8. Jonathan Paz

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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