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Artwork for The 404 Media Podcast

The 404 Media Podcast

404 Media
Artificial Intelligence
ICE
Privacy
Generative AI
Cybersecurity
FLOCK
Data Privacy
Surveillance
Microsoft
Google
Reddit
Social Media
Openai
Encryption
Surveillance Technology
Ai-Generated Content
4chan
Elon Musk
Meta
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 weeklyEpisodes193Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsTech NewsTechnology

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Artwork for The 404 Media Podcast

Latest Episodes

Go to surfshark.com/404Media to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN, plus there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee—or just use code 404MEDIA at checkout!

We start this week with Joseph’s story about the FCC’s wild proposal to require peoples’ governmen... more

This week, I’m thrilled to be joined by Imani Thompson. Imani is a digital security trainer and host of a series of events called Cache Me Outside, where she and partner orgs help people understand their personal security, divest from big tech platfo... more

We start this week with Emanuel’s story about the internal memes Google employees are making all about AI. Definitely check out some of the examples in the article or on YouTube. After the break, Jason tells us how Microsoft explicitly wants to “make... more

Emanuel talks to Devindra Hardawar about AI in Hollywood and the state of the movie industry.

Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code 404MEDIA at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: incogni.com/404media

I didn’t plan ... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Imani Thompson
Digital security trainer and host of Cache Me Outside events
Cache Me Outside / partner organizations mentioned in the episode
Episode: Meet Me at the Opsec Rave (with Imani Thompson)
Devendra Hardawar
Senior editor at Engadget and co-host of The Filmcast
Engadget
Episode: It’s So Not Over for Hollywood (with Devindra Hardawar)
Dexter Thomas
Speaker at LA Public Library event, associated with Aftermath
Aftermath
Episode: Hackers Asked Meta AI To Let Them In. It Worked
Geeta Jackson
Speaker at LA Public Library event, associated with Aftermath
Aftermath
Episode: Hackers Asked Meta AI To Let Them In. It Worked
Doug Wilson
Founder/leader at Ursa Ag
Ursa Ag
Episode: A Repairable, No-Tech Tractor
Zack Whittaker
Editor at TechCrunch, long-time stalkerware/spouseware reporter
TechCrunch
Episode: Millions of People Are Installing Malware on Their Partners’ Phones
Britt Paris
Critical informatics scholar and associate professor of Library and Information Science, Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Episode: The Physical Politics of the Internet with Britt Paris
Matthew Gault
Staff writer joining for the Yu-Gi-Oh card story
The 404 Media Podcast / 404 Media
Episode: The Chinese Deepfake Software Powering Scams
Natasha Schüll
Professor and anthropologist at New York University, author of Addiction by Design
New York University
Episode: How the World Became a Casino (With Natasha Schüll)

Host

Jason Koebler
Co-host and co-founder, investigative reporting on tech and policy.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • The only news podcast I listen to

    I appreciate this podcast because it’s refreshing to hear knowledgeable, level-headed folks talking about tech news and related topics without too much formality or meandering. The more recent interview episodes with knowledgeable expert guests are especially interesting and informative—and quite succinct compared to similar interview-style podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rowdymouse
    United Statesa month ago
  • incisive tours of media

    Not talky, even though it’s talk. The intelligent questions turn up. Weary of banter, this was a breath of fresh air.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lanoush
    United Statesa month ago
  • Tough listen

    I wanted to enjoy this, as the topics covered are genuinely very interesting, but the inability of several of the hosts to communicate without saying “like” every three or four words is incredibly irritating.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Eugene Fraxby
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Excellent program 🤩

    Thanks to the Aussie podcast Download This Show for mentioning 404 Media in their latest podcast. My first listen today and I’m hooked, what a great find!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    B⭐️B
    Australia2 months ago
  • One of my few "always listen" podcasts. Episodes always have a great range but at their heart they are always well researched, accessible, and relevant about how we can live in this tech enmeshed world.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    honor
    2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel production could be tighter, but reporting quality remains high.
Concise, insightful interviews that cut through noise.
Sharp, independent tech journalism with rigorous questioning.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#5
United States/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#7
Canada/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#10
United Kingdom/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#7
Australia/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#7
Germany/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#13
Italy/News/Tech News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
It’s So Not Over for Hollywood (with Devindra Hardawar)
Q: What are the two biggest stories in AI and the film industry today?
The OpenAI–Disney deal and the broader push by studios to experiment with AI tools, balanced by concerns about cost, governance, and artistic integrity.
A Repairable, No-Tech Tractor
Q: How do you see this fitting into broader farming economics and ownership models like leasing?
Leasing often locks farmers into terms that restrict repairs; Ursa Ag targets affordability and repairability to disrupt this dynamic, while acknowledging that some big farms still rely on major brands for reliability and support.
A Repairable, No-Tech Tractor
Q: What has the market response been since you announced Ursa Ag?
The response has been strong and international, with a surge of inquiries from multiple countries after a trade show video, showing appetite for an alternative to the traditional, locked-in, high-cost equipment.
A Repairable, No-Tech Tractor
Q: Could you tell us a bit about Ursa Ag and the background that led to this repairable tractor idea?
Doug explains growing up around farming, his transition through machinery repair and sales, and how a customer's request for an affordable, repairable tractor inspired a design focused on simplicity and reliability rather than complex electronics.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The 404 Media Podcast

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

This show delivers brisk, sharp tech and policy reporting through investigative storytelling and interview-driven episodes. Recurring topics include independent journalism, digital rights, platform governance, cybersecurity, surveillance, and the social impacts of technology. The hosts tend to ground complex tech issues in real-world implications, often featuring expert guests who provide historical context, policy analysis, or insider perspectives. A standout pattern is rigorous, no-nonsense questioning paired with a newsroom-style pace and deep dives into understudied corners of the digital world, making it a strong fit for listeners who want clarity on how tech influence translates into everyday life and public policy.

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How many listeners does The 404 Media Podcast get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers The 404 Media Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Better Offline
3. This Machine Kills
4. Mystery AI Hype Theater 3000
5. Kill The Computer

How many episodes of The 404 Media Podcast are there?

The 404 Media Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 193 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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Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The 404 Media Podcast?

Recent guests on The 404 Media Podcast include:

1. Imani Thompson
2. Devendra Hardawar
3. Dexter Thomas
4. Geeta Jackson
5. Doug Wilson
6. Zack Whittaker
7. Britt Paris
8. Matthew Gault

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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