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Warning: This episode contains references to sexual abuse and violence.

Whether for a hookup or to find true love, 3 out of 10 American adults say they have used a dating app, according to the Pew Research Center. But an investigation out Wednesday from Mother Jones looks into how these apps can also incubate abuse, finding that companies like Grindr and Match Group have failed to protect some of their users from predators. At the heart of this story is this question: Is that the companies’ responsibility? The tech industry has long argued the answer is no, thanks to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects internet companies from liability for content posted xx on their sites. Abby Vesoulis is the author of the Mother Jones investigation. Her story begins with Matthew Herrick, whose ex-boyfriend created fake profiles of him on Grindr.

Since the creation of deepfakes in 2017, the AI-powered technology that swaps faces into videos has become commonplace, particularly in pornography.

Using someone's image without their consent to create porn can have damaging effects, emotionally and physically. But no federal law criminalizes the creation or sharing of non-consensual deepfake porn in the United States.

Endless Thread co-hosts Amory Sivertson and Ben Brock Johnson speak with producer Dean Russell about deepfake law and the movement for change.

Credits: This episode was written and produced by Dean Russell. Mixing and sound design by Emily Jankowski. Amory Sivertson and Ben Brock Johnson are the co-hosts.

(Photo Illustration by Adrien Fillon/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Below are the questions covered in today's episode (with their timestamps). Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3U3sTvo

Video from today’s episode:  https://youtube.com/calnewportmedia

Today’s Deep Question: Should we consider a radically reimagined internet? [7:03]

- Can we build a better internet? [29:20]
- Will the coming augmented reality make the deep life impossible? [36:18]
- How do I become more disciplined about shutting down my phone? [44:26]
- Is the internet alive? [49:35]
- How does Cal see the connection between his professor and writer roles? [55:40]

Something Interesting: Michael Cera Doesn’t Use a Smartphone [1:10:47]

Links:

https://www.buzzfeed.com/mychalthompson/michael-cera-smartphone-social-media
https://urbit.org
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/21/us/google-supreme-court-youtube.html
Elevate Your Team  


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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.

Since 1996, the modern internet has been defined by a sweeping law that prevents tech companies such as Facebook and Google from being held responsible for the content posted on their sites.

This week, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that could take that legal immunity away.

Guest: Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• The decision on website immunity has the potential to alter the very structure of the internet.
• Lawmakers are targeting big tech “amplification.” What does that mean?

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

President Biden delivered a speech in Poland, as Russia suspended the last nuclear treaty between them and the U.S, the city of Seattle agrees to millions in settlement money for damage done in the city’s CHAZ zone in 2020, and The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case that could completely reshape the internet. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

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CNN openly calls for a social crackdown on Fox News; Team Biden gets more and more radical; and Trump’s impeachment team falls apart.

Get your copy of "How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps" here: https://utm.io/uHjV

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