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Globe and Mail
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Lately: An Anonymous hacker's regret, Canada's first AI minister and ‘lootbox' gambling
Welcome back to Lately, The Globe's weekly tech newsletter. If you have feedback or just want to say hello to a real-life human, send me an e-mail. 🥷 A Canadian hacker has some regrets 🥇 Canada's first AI minister 📚 The rising pile of AI-generated books 🎰 How teens are getting hooked on this gateway to gambling in online games More than two decades ago, a loose collective called Anonymous formed on 4chan, the controversial online message board where all users were anonymous by default, hence the moniker. The anonymity emboldened users to post offensive memes, co-ordinate pranks and orchestrate disinformation campaigns. But what began as 'fun and hijinks' kicked off what Canadian hacker and former Anonymous member Aubrey Cottle says was 'a chain reaction that resulted in the alt-right online culture wars and … essentially blossomed into the rise of Trump.' Of course, it's impossible to know how much Anonymous actually influenced the outcome of the election. But the group did end up informing the tactics of some far-right users on 4chan, such as fuelling conspiracy theories against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Last month, 4chan was hacked and taken offline, and the e-mail addresses of moderators were leaked online. Globe reporter Alexandra Posadzki recently interviewed Cottle, who says he feels culpable for the role Anonymous played in inadvertently helping Donald Trump become president. He talked to Posadzki while out on bail for criminal charges related to allegedly hacking into and defacing the Texas Republican Party's website nearly four years ago. Read the full story. This week, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his new cabinet, which includes a role that many in the tech industry have been calling for: a minister of AI. Evan Solomon, a former journalist and first-time member of Parliament, will oversee the portfolio that will likely involve increasing AI adoption, boosting the construction of Canadian-owned and operated data centres, and figuring out exactly how to regulate AI. Canada has been at the forefront of AI research that's been critical to the development of large-language models such as ChatGPT, but some critics say the country has failed to reap the economic benefits. Many AI patents developed here are now owned by foreign corporations, and many Canadian companies rely on cloud computing that's operated by foreign multinationals. Now with a minister solely focused on AI, it suggests the industry will be a priority for the new Liberal government. Read the full story by reporter Joe Castaldo. AI slop is coming for books. Specifically, Canadian political books. As arts reporter Josh O'Kane found, books about Canadian political leaders are the latest in the growing pile of what appear to be written using generative AI and are independently published through Amazon. These kinds of books flooded search results during this spring's federal election campaign, but more still have popped up in recent weeks, with at least one already referencing the voting results. Some have been printed on demand at an Amazon facility in Ontario. 'It's bad enough for Canadian researched non-fiction as it is. If this is the beginning of something, it's the beginning of something really bad. The potential for disinformation is off the charts,' says Mark Bourrie, the author of Ripper, a genuine biography of Pierre Poilievre. I regret my Tesla (The Walrus) The professors are using chatGPT, and some students aren't happy about it (The New York Times) Airbnb is in midlife crisis mode (WIRED) Hazaki's Gyuto knife, $175 These days, our kitchens are overflowing with tech gadgets and gizmos. Do we really need smart refrigerators that come with built-in screens to stream videos, or an $800 stand mixer that adjusts speed and torque based on the mixture inside? In fact, some interior designers are predicting that WiFi enabled, voice-activated, AI-powered-everything smart homes could be on the way out as more people embrace so-called 'dumb homes.' When it comes to the kitchen, you really only need a few tools and perhaps just one is worth the splurge: a good chef's knife. Last week, The Globe rounded up the best ones, including the Gyuto knife by Montreal brand Hazaki. The high-carbon steel blade is imported from Japan, while the wood handle is made with Canadian wood. Gambling in video games doesn't just mean virtual poker any more, leading some experts to raise the alarm about the negative effects on young players. Many major video games have 'lootboxes,' (or 'gacha' in Japanese and Korean games), a system where players can spend real-world money for a mystery box that could contain a rare in-game item. Some items, such as alternate character costumes or special weapons, are highly-sought after, so they're more difficult to get. Players can either scrimp and save their in-game money, or fork over actual hard-earned cash just for the chance to potentially score big with a lootbox. Lootboxes can be a gateway to gambling addiction among teens, say experts, who compare the system to slot machines. As Amber Ranson reports, many popular mobile games found on Apple and Google's app stores contain these types of microtransactions, games that are usually rated for players aged 12 and up. These games encourage players to gamble, to gain a competitive advantage or to collect virtual characters, which experts say can lead to issues at home. – Jordyn Streisfield
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Is Charmander getting a new evolution? Pokémon fans divided as Gen 10 buzz builds
A rumored Gen 10 Pokémon game, "Pokémon Gales & Tides", is trending online, according to a post by the Hidden Power Podcast Twitter account. Leaked details include island exploration, a 'Gigaxis' battle gimmick, and starters like a Fire Goat, Water Octopus & Grass Snail. But fans are stuck on one thing: a ground-type Charmander variant. Posted anonymously on 4chan, the leak describes 16 main islands, 150+ smaller ones, and Guardian Pokémon fusions. Yet the spotlight is on Charmander — usually a Fire-type — getting a sandy redesign. Fans groaned. 'Stop making new Charmanders every region,' one tweeted. Another joked, 'Of course they'd give Charizard another form.' ALSO READ | What is Palme d'Or? Honorary Cannes award presented to Robert De Niro Another X user commented, 'Only believing this because a regional variant for the Charizard line sounds exactly in line of what Pokémon would do lmao' According to Gaming Bible, most agree the leak is likely fake. 4chan rumors rarely pan out. The user even admits: 'This is just random waffling.' Skeptics note Game Freak hasn't hinted at Gen 10 yet. The blog writer on Gaming Bible has even vowed to 'eat a Pikachu plushie' if proven right. The author also said, 'But if I predicted that the moon would explode every day until the end of time, eventually I'd be right. People really do just be saying anything over on 4chan, because it's a completely anonymous messaging board.' Charmander, the fiery starter from 1996's Pokémon Red/Blue, became a global icon. Its evolution into Charizard, a dragon-like fan favorite, boosted its fame. The anime's loyal Charmander episode (where Ash saves one in the rain) deepened its emotional appeal. Over 25 years, Charmander got Mega Evolutions (2013), Gigantamax forms (2019), and plushies galore. Despite its overexposure, it remains a symbol of Pokémon's magic. Yet fans debate: Does it need another remake?
Economic Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Is Pokémon running out of ideas? Ground-type Charmander leak sparks fan backlash in Gen 10 rumour mill
TIL Creatives AI generated image When longtime Pokémon fan Aaron Lucero saw a Ground-type Charmander trending online this weekend, his reaction summed up what much of the fandom was feeling: 'Again? They're doing this again?' Lucero, like thousands of others, stumbled across the latest Generation 10 'leak' making the rounds online. The alleged info drop, which originated from 4chan and gained traction through a repost by the Hidden Power Podcast , outlines ambitious plans for the next mainline game, possibly titled Pokémon Gales & Tides , rumoured for the Nintendo Switch 2. Also read: 'Pokémon Go' maker nears $3.5 billion deal to sell games unitThe leak describes a tropical archipelago setting featuring 16 major islands, 150+ smaller ones, a new battle mechanic called 'Gigaxis,' and three new starter Pokémon: a Fire Goat, Water Octopus, and Grass Snail. But one bizarre detail is dominating conversation more than any of that: a new ground-type regional variant of Pokémon community has always had strong feelings about its mascots, but the idea of giving Charmander yet another region-specific twist, this time as a Ground-type has left fans baffled and, in many cases, frustrated. 'I don't care about the rest of it, just please for the love of god stop making a new Charmander every other region,' one fan wrote. Another chimed in: 'Only believing this because a regional variant for the Charizard line sounds exactly in line of what Pokémon would do lmao.' This isn't the first time Charmander and its evolutionary line have stolen the spotlight. Mega Charizard X , Y , and Gigantamax Charizard have all had their day. But for a growing segment of the fanbase, the overexposure is wearing thin, especially when there are over 1,000 other creatures in the Pokémon roster. Despite the frenzy, there's a high chance this entire leak is a fabrication. While 4chan has occasionally been a source of accurate leaks, its track record is sketchy at best. The anonymity of the platform makes it a breeding ground for unverified information, especially when it comes to major game franchises like Pokémon . Also read: Pokémon GO acquisition: Scopely buys Niantic's gaming division for $3.5 Billion – What it means for players and the future of the game 'If any of this ends up being true, I will livestream myself eating a Pikachu plushie,' one skeptical fan joked, echoing the mood of many. Still, it's fun to imagine. With Pokémon Legends: Z-A already confirmed as the next official release, anything beyond that is pure speculation. But the growing backlash to Charmander's repeated reinvention is a clear sign: the fanbase wants fresh ideas, not another familiar flame in a new coat of mud.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Is Pokémon running out of ideas? Ground-type Charmander leak sparks fan backlash in Gen 10 rumour mill
Charmander fatigue hits the fanbase Live Events Pokémon Gales & Tides or just another 4chan fantasy? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel When longtime Pokémon fan Aaron Lucero saw a Ground-type Charmander trending online this weekend, his reaction summed up what much of the fandom was feeling: 'Again? They're doing this again?'Lucero, like thousands of others, stumbled across the latest Generation 10 'leak' making the rounds online. The alleged info drop, which originated from 4chan and gained traction through a repost by the Hidden Power Podcast, outlines ambitious plans for the next mainline game, possibly titled Pokémon Gales & Tides, rumoured for the Nintendo Switch read: 'Pokémon Go' maker nears $3.5 billion deal to sell games unit The leak describes a tropical archipelago setting featuring 16 major islands, 150+ smaller ones, a new battle mechanic called 'Gigaxis,' and three new starter Pokémon: a Fire Goat, Water Octopus, and Grass Snail. But one bizarre detail is dominating conversation more than any of that: a new ground-type regional variant of Pokémon community has always had strong feelings about its mascots, but the idea of giving Charmander yet another region-specific twist, this time as a Ground-type has left fans baffled and, in many cases, frustrated.'I don't care about the rest of it, just please for the love of god stop making a new Charmander every other region,' one fan chimed in: 'Only believing this because a regional variant for the Charizard line sounds exactly in line of what Pokémon would do lmao.'This isn't the first time Charmander and its evolutionary line have stolen the spotlight. Mega Charizard X, Y, and Gigantamax Charizard have all had their day. But for a growing segment of the fanbase, the overexposure is wearing thin, especially when there are over 1,000 other creatures in the Pokémon the frenzy, there's a high chance this entire leak is a fabrication. While 4chan has occasionally been a source of accurate leaks, its track record is sketchy at best. The anonymity of the platform makes it a breeding ground for unverified information, especially when it comes to major game franchises like Poké read: Pokémon GO acquisition: Scopely buys Niantic's gaming division for $3.5 Billion – What it means for players and the future of the game 'If any of this ends up being true, I will livestream myself eating a Pikachu plushie,' one skeptical fan joked, echoing the mood of it's fun to imagine. With Pokémon Legends: Z-A already confirmed as the next official release, anything beyond that is pure speculation. But the growing backlash to Charmander's repeated reinvention is a clear sign: the fanbase wants fresh ideas, not another familiar flame in a new coat of mud.
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
I've seen British men making deepfake porn of their own mothers and sisters in secret online forums – they trade them like Pokemon cards
Delving into the dark world of deepfakes, Jess Davies also discovered men on vile forums playing sick 'Risk' games with nude pics HARROWING TRUTH I've seen British men making deepfake porn of their own mothers and sisters in secret online forums – they trade them like Pokemon cards Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AT 15 years old, Jess Davies felt like her world had ended when she discovered a picture of her in her underwear was being shared around by boys at her school. But, horrifyingly, it wouldn't be the only time she was a victim of picture-based abuse - many years later, her boyfriend would also betray her in the same cruel way. 13 When Jess Davies was a teenager, a photo she shared with a boy she trusted made its way around her entire school Credit: Rhiannon Holland/Mefus photography 13 The Welsh activist took a deep dive into the harrowing corners of the internet for her new book Credit: Jess Davies Jess, from Aberystwyth, was working as a part-time model when she found naked photos - which had been taken of her when she was asleep - in a group chat on her boyfriend's phone. She says she quickly deleted the images and accepted it, not realising until years later that it was deeply disturbing and a criminal offence. Now 32, the horrific experiences Jess faced led her to become a women's rights campaigner, raising awareness of online misogyny and images being spread without consent. She told The Sun: "I was so young and it [sharing pics] was something that had been normalised. This is just what happens. It wasn't until I got a little bit older that I realised 'that wasn't right'." Jess, now single, also says there is "so much shame and stigma" towards female victims but that several recent shocking high-profile cases are finally beginning to shine a spotlight on the online abuse women face. Gisele Pelicot, whose husband recruited 72 men online to rape her as she lay drugged, said during his court case, "shame needs to change sides". And Jess could not agree more. 'Traded like Pokémon cards' The Revenge Porn Helpline said it received 22,275 reports of image-based abuse last year, which is the highest it has ever seen. Abuse of women online has been highlighted time and time again as it becomes disturbingly common. Vicky Pattison shares deepfake porn clip of herself as she warns of dangers on C4 doc Jess said most women don't know that pictures of them are even circulating online on Reddit, Discord, Telegram and sick forums like 4chan - famous for its extreme content. While taking a deep dive into the harrowing corners of the internet for her new book, No One Wants to See Your D*ck, she found that some sick individuals had so many nude images of women that they are divided into folders. She says: "People's sons, brothers and friends are trading these photos like Pokémon cards and the women in the images have no idea that someone they trust is doing this. "I saw teachers in there, people making deepfakes of their mothers, their aunts, their sisters. It was crazy. It is happening on such a big scale. You only need one photo to be able to create an explicit deep fake." And no one is safe, even those who have never taken a nude picture, as recent AI development makes it easy for these sick people to "nudify" a woman. With just a profile picture and the click of a button, AI can remove clothes from an innocent photo, make it more seductive or even swap a person's head onto a naked body - creating incredibly realistic deepfakes. "These nudify bots post on their sites that they're getting millions of people using them a day. "Millions of women don't know that they've been turned into explicit deepfakes. And then it's like, 'How do you keep track of that? How do you report that?' "Of course, it's not all men. I have so many great men in my life and my family. But it's not just a select few either." In 2024, nearly 4,000 celebrities were found to be victims of deepfake porn, including actresses Scarlett Johansson and Emma Watson. Speaking about deepfake, Scarlett said: "Nothing can stop someone from cutting and pasting my image or anyone else's onto a different body and making it look as eerily realistic as desired. The fact is that trying to protect yourself from the Internet and its depravity is basically a lost cause." And with AI technology advancing so rapidly, most police forces are struggling to find a way to deal with the influx of online abuse cases. 13 Jess said that most women don't know that pictures of them are circulating online Credit: Jess Davies 13 Dominique Pelicot during his trial in which he was found guilty of drugging his wife Gisele Pelicot and inviting strangers to rape her Credit: AFP 13 Gisele bravely waived her anonymity because 'shame needs to change sides' Credit: AFP 13 Actresses like Emma Watson are frequent victims of deepfakes online Credit: Getty 13 Scarlett Johansson said she's given up fighting 'demeaning' deepfake porn of her Credit: Getty Jess says: "I think there's just such a feeling of entitlement over women's bodies. Most women don't know this has happened to them. "And yet, if you go into the forums, there are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of women - every day you'll find new images being posted of women who are being turned into explicit deepfakes, mostly by men and boys that they know." Describing what she saw while looking into these vile forums, Jess said the photos are divided into locations for men to search for specific women. "So it'd be like North Wales girls and Cumbria, Edinburgh," Jess adds. "It's like, 'Anyone got Jess Davies from Aberystwyth' and someone will be like, 'Yeah, I do. I've got so and so I'll trade you'." Others play sick games between them, such as 'Risk'. One will post an image online, and if another 'catches' them by responding within five minutes, they then have to reveal the woman's full name and socials. Jess has even seen her own modelling images used online for scams, porn sites, escort services and sex chats. 'You know these men' While this might seem like anonymous men in shadowy corners of the internet, these are people women know and likely trust. "These are men that know women personally, because they're men from your hometown. "When you walk down the street or pop to the shops, or you're at the school gates, that could be someone who's actively trading your images without consent that you don't know of. It's like Pokémon cards, right? It's like, Oh, who have you got? I've got this. I'll send that. It's like you've got a sticker book that you're all trading photos for Jess Davies "These are men that we know who are all doing this. And then we have to exist alongside them. It's crazy that this is happening. "It's like Pokémon cards, right? It's like, 'Oh, who have you got? I've got this. I'll send that'. It's like you've got a sticker book that you're all trading photos for. And yet it's the women still that you're angry at." Jess said whenever a survivor of this abuse speaks out, she's immediately slammed as being "irrational". "Why are you more angry at women speaking up about their lived experiences than the men who are giving you a bad name? "It's not just some man's behaviour living out online. It's showing what they would do if they could be anonymous in real life." Jess pointed to the harrowing case of Gavin Plumb, who was jailed for trying to kidnap, rape and murder celebrity Holly Willoughby. His sick scheme was organised on forums and not one person reported him until an undercover police officer came across the twisted plot. 13 Holly Willoughby said women should not be made to feel unsafe after security guard Gavin Plumb was found guilty of plans to kidnap, rape and murder her Credit: PA 13 Plumb was also an admin of a public Kik group where its 50 members would post pictures of Holly and talk about her, sometimes in a graphic and sexual way Credit: PA 13 Plumb bought hundreds of pounds worth of equipment to carry out the kidnapping Credit: PA His desires were fulled by deepfake porn shared online with others who shared his vile perversions. Jess also pointed to the French case of Gisele Pelicot, a rape victim who waivered her anonymity to stand against her own abusive husband. She says: "Her husband found 50 plus men to rape his unconscious wife. He found them on forums." 'It's never in the past' Jess refuses to go on dating apps and finds dating difficult because of all she has suffered. She has seen the worst of men when venturing into shadowy corners of the internet, seeing content that would leave anyone shaken. When Jess was a teenager, a photo she shared with a boy she trusted made its way through the entire school and the football team. Classmates texted her saying, "nice pictures, didn't think you were that type of girl", mocking her as she sat in art class. Later, when she was a student and modelling part-time, her boyfriend took a photo of her while she was sleeping naked. Jess saw it on his phone when he was in the shower - he had posted it in a group chat with his friends. She deleted the image that was taken without her knowledge or permission but never confronted him, thinking "that is just what happens". The Welsh activist said the trauma of being a victim of image-based abuse is lifelong and she still feels the impact today. "A lot of women are suicidal when it comes to this. It's something that they carry around with them every single day. "One victim said to me, I can't say I've got PTSD. Because it's never in the past, because you're always thinking, 'Where was it shared before that, or who might have it, and who might upload it again?'" Jess said most people don't even realise what they're doing is illegal. What are deepfakes? Here's what you need to know... Deepfakes use artificial intelligence and machine learning to produce face-swapped videos with barely any effort They can be used to create realistic videos that make celebrities appear as though they're saying something they didn't Deepfakes have also been used by sickos to make fake porn videos that feature the faces of celebrities or ex-lovers To create the videos, users first track down an XXX clip featuring a porn star that looks like an actress They then feed an app with hundreds – and sometimes thousands – of photos of the victim's face A machine learning algorithm swaps out the faces frame-by-frame until it spits out a realistic, but fake, video To help other users create these videos, pervs upload "facesets", which are huge computer folders filled with a celebrity's face that can be easily fed through the "deepfakes" app While in recent years there has been a better grasp on what consent means in the physical world, the same can't be said for the digital world, she explains. Jess says: "If you're a woman online, then you're probably going to be sexually harassed and receive threats. You might have your images stolen. It's like 'Oh, well, that's just what happens'. "There seems to be a free-for-all when it comes to women's bodies, specifically that they can do anything they want." Schoolboys are creating deepfakes of their classmates, and Jess has spoken to girls who talk about being bullied into sending nudes. She thinks misogynistic ideology being picked up by teenagers stems from online content and masculinity influencers like Andrew Tate. "Obviously Andrew Tate's the loudest one out there. But there are so many of them. A lot of teenage boys think that's funny and are reading it every single day. 13 Andrew Tate is a key figure in the manosphere and has been accused of rape and sex trafficking Credit: AP 13 Teen boys being radicalised through online content was recently highlighted by Netflix's hit drama Adolescence Credit: Courtesy of Ben Blackall/Netflix 13 Keir Starmer hosted a roundtable on adolescent safety with the creators of Netflix's 'Adolescence' Credit: Reuters "We might see a one-minute TikTok, but they're doing hours and hours of live streams every single day into the bedrooms of these teenage boys. "These live streams are unchecked, unregulated. They can say anything they want." Men like Andrew Tate are live streaming into the bedrooms of teenage boys Teenage boys being radicalised through online content was recently highlighted by Netflix's hit drama Adolescence. In the fictional series, a teen boy murders a girl who rejected him. He had asked her out when she was vulnerable after having her private photos shared at school - and he was outraged that she would dare refuse him. And while Jess praised the production, she noted how frustrating it is that it took a fictional TV show about a man, written by men, to draw attention to the problem. "Women have been shouting about this for many years about what's happening and trying to draw attention. "Every single day there are real-life stories in the news of women losing their lives at the hands of male violence, or being followed and experiencing sexual harassment and sexual assault. And that wasn't what spurred people's empathy. "It's a sad reflection of how we need men as part of the conversation. "Because a lot of men don't want to listen to women when we're talking about this. So that's why we need men to join the conversation." No One Wants to See Your D*ck is available to buy from today.
