Patreon has laid off 20 percent of its workforce, becoming the latest tech company to announce cuts this year. The creator economy platform said it was restructuring to focus on its core business. https://www.404media.co/patreon-lays-off-20-percent-of-its-workforce/ #Media #SocialMedia #CreatorEconomy

Flock's CEO says the company's licence plate readers only take static pictures, despite the company marketing a video upgrade for over a year. The contradiction raises questions about the surveillance company's capabilities. https://www.404media.co/flocks-ceo-says-its-alprs-dont-do-video-after-repeatedly-announcing-they-can/ #Media #SocialMedia #DataPrivacy

A judge in Indiana caught a court reporter submitting a transcript with AI-generated errors and warned stenographers to proofread their work. This follows years of judges catching lawyers using AI to generate fake legal citations. https://www.404media.co/judge-caught-court-reporter-using-ai-transcript-errors/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

#Meta launched a new #FacebookVerified programme using #facialrecognition to confirm #useridentity. The #free badge, distinct from the Meta Verified endorsement, aims to combat AI-generated fake profiles and scams. https://www.engadget.com/2222353/meta-launches-facebook-verified/?eicker.media #media #socialmedia

A raccoon named Jimothy has become the latest animal to go viral on social media, after a video shared on Instagram sparked widespread interest. The story shows how animal content continues to dominate social media engagement. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd0xnge2zx7o #Media #SocialMedia #Viral

Samsung Wallet is adding stablecoin support, including Circles USDC, according to a mockup shown at Galaxy Unpacked. The move signals growing mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency by a major technology company. https://decrypt.co/374324/samsung-wallet-stablecoin-support-usdc #Web3 #Blockchain #InstitutionalAdoption

Teens at a UK festival say a proposed social media curfew for 16-17 year olds feels "pointless" and "won't be respected". The midnight to 6am ban would require teens to opt out. One 15-year-old said it would be more effective earlier in the evening. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj63zlr7y8do #Media #SocialMedia #DataPrivacy

Millions of people viewed a high-quality bootleg of The Odyssey movie on X before Universal Studios took it down. The viral leak underscores the challenge social media platforms face in moderating copyrighted content quickly. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1m1ev5j3m2o #Media #SocialMedia #News

Spotify does not label AI-generated music on its platform, so users have created their own tools to track it. Websites like SoullessMusic.com and SlopTracker.org let people identify AI artists, with some tracks rated 95% likely generated by Suno. The problem has become so widespread that independent researchers are stepping in where Spotify has not. https://www.404media.co/spotifys-ai-problem-is-so-bad-random-people-are-stepping-in-to-track-the-slop/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

Threads users can now chat with Meta AI in their DMs. Meta is rolling out its AI chatbot within Threads direct messages, giving users a way to chat with the assistant. https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/27/threads-users-can-now-chat-with-meta-ai-in-their-dms/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

Substack has introduced a new AI detection tool that flags AI-generated writing, sparking backlash from contributors who call it a witch hunt. Creators say the feature unfairly targets those who use AI to assist their work, while others worry about false accusations damaging their reputation. The tool, built with Pangram, aims to increase transparency but critics argue it is inaccurate and harmful to writers. https://www.404media.co/substackers-say-new-ai-detection-tool-is-a-witch-hunt/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

Samuel Tunick has been charged for allegedly typing a passcode that wiped his privacy-focused GrapheneOS phone before US border agents could search it. He faces up to five years in prison. I hope people understand the charges are meant to intimidate them against protecting their data, he told 404 Media. https://www.404media.co/the-government-hopes-to-set-a-precedent-an-interview-with-the-man-charged-for-allegedly-wiping-his-grapheneos-phone/ #Media #SocialMedia #Privacy

Despite being more connected than ever through social media, many young adults struggle to build deep friendships. Research suggests platforms that encourage curated, performative self-presentation may be harming authentic connection. The key to meaningful relationships lies in vulnerability and consistency, experts say. https://theconversation.com/you-have-more-ways-to-connect-than-ever-but-deep-friendship-feels-hard-to-find-heres-how-to-build-better-connections-285022 #Media #SocialMedia #Community

A 404 Media podcast explores what happens when Flock surveillance cameras arrive in a small town, and the rise of anti-technology Luddite events. https://www.404media.co/podcast-flock-came-to-my-town-heres-what-i-did/ #Media #SocialMedia #Community

YouTubers used AI-generated TikTok influencers to shill FDA-recalled supplements, lawsuit reveals. Fake "doctors" made health claims earning 400,000 USD monthly. https://www.404media.co/inside-an-ai-tiktok-shop-slop-factory-that-shills-supplements-recalled-by-the-fda/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

LinkedIn is introducing a reporting option for AI-generated slop and replacing its AI writing tool with a proofreading feature, as the platform battles low-quality AI content. https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/30/linkedin-adds-a-button-to-report-ai-generated-slop/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

Google Earth has introduced an AI feature that lets users generate completely fabricated satellite images, including drone strikes, nuclear plants, and bomb craters. The tool, powered by Google's Nano Banana model, has raised serious concerns about disinformation and the difficulty of verifying satellite imagery going forward. https://www.404media.co/google-earths-new-ai-lets-anyone-fabricate-completely-bullshit-satellite-images/ #Media #SocialMedia #AI

YouTube has banned several popular ASMR artists this week for violating its sex and nudity policy, with creators saying the bans are unfair and potentially life-altering. The affected creators had significant followings and for some it was their full-time career. https://www.404media.co/youtube-asmr-ban-sex-and-nudity-policy/ #Media #SocialMedia #YouTube

Snapchat has introduced new measures to combat AI-generated content on its platform, joining YouTube, LinkedIn and Substack in the fight against "AI slop". The app is focusing on partnerships to meet clients where they are. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c77g6dm5pr8o #Media #SocialMedia #AI

Reddit has grown to more than 130 million daily active users, with the company reporting robust revenue growth in its Q2 performance update. CEO Steve Huffman described search referrals as 'choppy' despite the strong overall results. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/reddits-user-base-grows-to-more-than-130-million-daily-actives/826783/ #Media #SocialMedia #Community