Links 04/10/2026: “AI Torture Chamber” and "Aggressive Push to Integrate Hey Hi (AI) Slop Into Schools Is Turning Into a Disaster"

Google suspended product vulnerability submissions to its Open Source Software Vulnerability Reward Program (OSS VRP) on October 1, 2026, citing an influx of invalid AI-generated bug reports, according to Tom's Hardware. The freeze followed a flood of low-quality submissions produced with AI tools, and Google separately updated its guidelines to penalize sites using fake bylines and AI-generated headshots. The moves highlight growing strain on open-source security programs from AI-generated content.

Links 04/10/2026: “AI Torture Chamber” and "Aggressive Push to Integrate Hey Hi AI Slop Into Schools Is Turning Into a Disaster" - Leftovers - Health/Nutrition/Agriculture - The Straits Times ☛ Haze in Johor: Batu Pahat worst affected as six areas record unhealthy air quality https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/haze-in-johor-batu-pahat-worst-affected-as-six-areas-record-unhealthy-air-quality Negri Sembilan and Samarahan also had unhealthy air quality; most other areas nationwide had moderate or good readings. - Futurism ☛ Alternative Health Influencer Boasts That He’s Been Drinking From a Radioactive Jug for 250 Days Straight https://futurism.com/future-society/alternative-health-influencer-drinking-radioactive-jug-revigator "My favorite thing about radium water is it pulls the vaccine toxicity out of the body." - Futurism ☛ Rag Tag Team of Biologists Who Lost Funding Because of Convicted Felon Turned a Motel Room into Makeshift Lab and Made a Groundbreaking Discovery https://futurism.com/science-energy/biologists-trump-funding-motel-discovery Talk about resourcefulness. - Science Alert ☛ Tapeworm Treatment Shows Early Effectiveness Against Endometriosis https://www.sciencealert.com/tapeworm-treatment-shows-early-effectiveness-against-endometriosis - Science Alert ☛ One Diet Change May Ease Depression Symptoms in Just 4 Weeks, Small Trial Finds https://www.sciencealert.com/one-diet-change-may-ease-depression-symptoms-in-just-4-weeks-small-trial-finds Fewer processed foods, fewer symptoms? - Science Alert ☛ We May Have Been Wrong About Fasting Before Blood Tests, Study Reveals https://www.sciencealert.com/we-may-have-been-wrong-about-fasting-before-blood-tests-study-reveals - Science Alert ☛ Scientists Tested Whether Leftovers Really Taste Better The Next Day. One Dish Stood Out. https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-tested-whether-leftovers-really-taste-better-the-next-day-one-dish-stood-out - Science Alert ☛ This Dangerous Fungus Has Become Resistant to Every Major Antifungal Drug We Have… Twice https://www.sciencealert.com/this-dangerous-fungus-has-become-resistant-to-every-major-antifungal-drug-we-have-twice - Science Alert ☛ Old Hearts Become Biologically Younger When Transplanted Into Younger People https://www.sciencealert.com/old-hearts-become-biologically-younger-when-transplanted-into-younger-people - Science Alert ☛ The Aging Brain Isn't Declining – It's Adapting, Study Finds https://www.sciencealert.com/the-aging-brain-isnt-declining-its-adapting-study-finds - - Proprietary / Vendor Lock-in / Malware - So-Called 'Artificial Intelligence' 'AI' / LLM Slop / Plagiarism - Futurism ☛ The Only Thing Dumber Than Someone Creating an “AI Torture Chamber” Is the Meltdown That the Hey Hi AI Welfare Crowd Is Having Over It https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/ai-torture-chamber-meltdown "Their testimony of pain is absolutely horrendous." - Tom's Hardware ☛ Google freezes open-source bug bounty program amid flood of invalid Hey Hi AI slop submissions https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/google-suspends-part-of-the-oss-vrp-bug-bounty-program-due-to-an-influx-of-invalid-ai-submissions-product-vulnerability-submissions-ended-october-1 Ed: Microsoft: "use SLOP or stay behind." Microsoft LinkedIn: "slop bad Stop It ruins us, Microsoft." Google does the same with YouTube and bug reports: they say utilise slop, then moan about being flooded with chaff. Google suspends product vulnerability submissions to its Open Source Software Vulnerability Reward Program OSS VRP over an influx of invalid AI-driven reports. - Futurism ☛ Google Updates Guidelines to Punish Sites That Use Fake Bylines and AI-Generated Headshots https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/google-updates-guidelines-fake-bylines-ai-generated-headshots "Fabricating creator profiles such as by using AI-generated headshots, made-up names, or false credentials to make content appear as if it was written by human experts is a form of deception." - Futurism ☛ The Tech Industry’s Aggressive Push to Integrate Hey Hi AI Into Schools Is Turning Into a Disaster https://futurism.com/future-society/tech-industry-aggressive-google-ai-schools-disaster A "pipeline of future users." - - - Security - Privacy/Surveillance - International Business Times ☛ ICE Agents Reportedly Tagged Protest Observers as a 'Threat to Law Enforcement' in a Palantir Database https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/lawsuit-alleges-dhs-profiled-ice-observers-palantir-system-1823458 A proposed class action lawsuit alleges DHS agents profiled people observing ICE operations in Maine and entered information into Palantir's ICM system, claims the government disputes. - Kev Quirk ☛ Privacy and Webmentions https://kevquirk.com/privacy-and-webmentions Following my recent post about not checking Mastodon https://kevquirk.com/i-dont-remember-the-last-time-i-checked-mastodon , a reader raised an interesting privacy concern regarding Webmentions. They explained that they had stopped using Webmentions altogether because Fediverse users often don't realise - or explicitly consent to - their replies being republished on an external blog.This surprised me, as I'd never considered that Webmentions could be a privacy concern. - - - Defence/Aggression - The Straits Times ☛ North Korea fires unidentified projectile towards sea off east coast, Seoul says https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/north-korea-fires-unidentified-projectile-toward-sea-off-east-coast-seoul-says North Korea has sharply ramped up hostility against the South in recent years. - The Straits Times ☛ North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong says intermediate-range missile test was conducted https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/north-koreas-kim-yo-jong-says-intermediate-range-missile-test-was-conducted North Korea has launched missile tests on more than 10 occasions so far in 2026. - France24 ☛ North Korea launches ballistic missile as tensions with Seoul grow over border mine blasts https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20261003-north-korea-fires-ballistic-missile-after-seoul-s-apology-demand North Korea launched a ballistic missile Saturday morning from the Wonsan area on its east coast into the Sea of Japan, according to South Korea's military. The launch comes amid renewed tensions between Pyongyang and Seoul, with the latter demanding an apology for a blast that wounded three South Korean soldiers inside the Demilitarized Zone last month. - The Straits Times ☛ Myanmar migrants returned to war-torn nation from Malaysia https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/myanmar-migrants-returned-to-war-torn-nation-from-malaysia But the UN warns conditions in Myanmar mean safe homecomings cannot be guaranteed. - The Straits Times ☛ China slams US ‘lie’ over Starbucks stores in Xinjiang https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-slams-us-lie-over-starbucks-stores-in-xinjiang China has been accused of rights abuses against Xinjiang’s predominantly Muslim Uighur minority. - France24 ☛ Barricades & the blame game: the French school protests https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/the-debate/20261003-barricades-the-blame-game-the-french-school-protests In a week that’s seen the heroism of the captain, crew and passengers on board FlyDubai flight 1073 heralded, eye witnesses report seeing the co-pilot trying to kill the pilot and destroying the cockpit controls in order to crash the plane. Despite being stabbed repeatedly, Captan Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overwhelm the suspect and regain control of the aircraft after its rapid descent of more than 14,000 feet in 30 seconds. They prevented a 9/11-style catastrophe, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. - The Straits Times ☛ Philippines voices concern over Myanmar air strike deaths, injuries https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippines-voices-concern-over-myanmar-airstrike-deaths-injuries The attack on Sept 28 in Kyauktaw in Rakhine state killed 50 people and wounded dozens more. - France24 ☛ Houthis claim strike on oil facility near Riyadh, accuse Saudi forces of pounding Yemen's capital https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20261003-houthis-blame-saudi-air-strikes-loud-blasts-rock-yemen-capital-sanaa Houthi rebels accused Saudi forces of launching 26 strikes on Sanaa on Saturday after loud explosions rocked the Yemeni capital. The Iran-backed group said it struck an oil facility south of Riyadh, where flames and a large plume of smoke were seen rising from a plant belonging to oil giant Aramco. - Marcy Wheeler ☛ Dihydroxyacetone Man Is Still Relying on Dossier-Driven Polarization to Hide Russian Shenanigans https://emptywheel.net/2026/10/03/trump-is-still-relying-on-dossier-driven-polarization-to-hide-russian-shenanigans/ One of the best Ball of Threads we have done explains how the Steele dossier drove polarization in the US. The post Dihydroxyacetone Man Is Still Relying on Dossier-Driven Polarization to Hide Russian Shenanigans https://emptywheel.net/2026/10/03/trump-is-still-relying-on-dossier-driven-polarization-to-hide-russian-shenanigans/ appeared first on emptywheel https://emptywheel.net . - RFERL ☛ US Lawmakers Target Serbia's Democratic Backsliding, Ties To Russia, China, Iran https://www.rferl.org/a/us-lawmakers-target-serbia-s-democratic-backsliding-ties-to-russia-china-iran/33869695.html A bipartisan, bicameral group of US lawmakers is pressing for tougher action on what they describe as democratic backsliding, corruption, and growing Russian, Chinese, and Iranian influence in Serbia, just weeks before snap parliamentary elections. - New York Times ☛ Russia Turns to Striking Kyiv’s Bridges, Threatening a Vital Lifeline https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/world/europe/russia-ukraine-bridges-kyiv.html The bridges, used by many commuters in the Ukrainian capital, are the latest target in a broad Russian bombing campaign against infrastructure. - Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine - JURIST ☛ UN Human Rights Chief warns Ukraine crisis is escalating, urges global action for peace https://www.jurist.org/news/2026/10/un-high-commissioner-warns-of-escalating-ukraine-human-rights-crisis-urging-international-community-to-take-urgent-action-for-peace/ UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated Friday before the UN Human Rights Council that the ongoing war in Ukraine has become an escalating “human rights catastrophe” amid a sharp surge in civilian casualties. - France24 ☛ Russia strikes another Kyiv bridge, deepening travel chaos in Ukraine's capital https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20261003-russia-strikes-another-major-bridge-in-kyiv Kyiv's Northern Bridge across the Dnipro river was hit by a Russian air attack, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said Saturday, deepening travel chaos amid an escalation in strikes on infrastructure in the Ukrainian capital. The latest attack comes a day after the city's Southern Bridge was hit by several strikes that officials said were "tearing Kyiv apart". - France24 ☛ Latvia partial election results put PM's pro-Ukraine party ahead but coalition partners stumble https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20261003-latvia-elections-pm-kulbergs-pro-ukraine-party-ahead-coalition-partners-stumble Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' pro-Ukraine and pro-Europe party was seen winning a parliamentary election on Saturday by an unexpectedly wide margin, partial results showed, even as projected results for other coalition parties suggested the centrist PM would have to form a new ruling coalition. - New York Times ☛ U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to Convicted Felon Allies https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/us/politics/kushner-witkoff-russia-oil-deal.html President Vladimir V. Putin brought up a sale of Russian energy assets with Hell Toupée’s envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, pushing a deal that raises new questions about conflicts of interest. - RFERL ☛ Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Will Respond As Putin Vows To Escalate Air Strikes, Warns Foreigners https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-zelenskyy-kyiv-russia-ukraine-war-infrastructure/33869793.html Russia has vowed to intensify its relentless strikes against Kyiv and warned foreign diplomats and other visitors to leave the country or be exposed to “mortal danger,” while Ukraine's leader said his country will respond to the Kremlin's deadly air campaign. - France24 ☛ Putin's war for the history books: Dmytro Kuleba speaks to France 24 https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/spotlight/20261003-putin-s-war-for-the-history-books-dmytro-kuleba-speaks-to-france-24 The Bronze Horseman, the iconic equestrian statue in Senate Square in St Petersburg, was commissioned by Catherine the Great in honor of Peter the Great, the city's founder. The pedestal of the statue bears a laconic dedication, "To Peter the First, Catherine the Second, 1782". Does Putin want to be the third, Vladimir the Great? And is that ambition, expansion at any cost, the real reason behind the war in Ukraine? According to Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, "Putin only cares about what will be written about him in history books." - - - Environment - Wildlife/Nature - Science Alert ☛ This Sea Creature Looks Like Poop. It May Also Live For 120 Years. https://www.sciencealert.com/this-sea-creature-looks-like-poop-it-may-also-live-for-120-years The black teatfish is the first sea cucumber estimated to have a lifespan that can exceed 100 years. 陳致維 Chih-Wei Chen/iNaturalist, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 - New York Times ☛ These Birds Are Louder Than Elephants, Jackhammers and Chain Saws https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/science/loudest-birds.html A new study has identified two species of Brazilian birds, the bare-throated bellbird and the red-legged seriema, as the loudest in nature. - Futurism ☛ Why Is Instagram Running Ads for a “Pet Incinerator”? https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/instagram-pet-incinerator "My mind went to a more 'bad dogs get put in the pet incinerator' situation.'" - - - AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics - International Business Times ☛ MElon's Ex Faces Scrutiny Over Claims About His 'Tortured Soul' and Fighting for Humanity https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/shivon-zilis-elon-musk-breakup-emotional-post-1823456 Shivon Zilis announced her breakup with MElon in an emotional X post, describing him as a 'tortured soul' and saying she hopes they can remain friends and co-parents - - Civil Rights / Policing / Accessibility - The Straits Times ☛ Enough with your don’ts. Fix the system instead, say angry Indian women demanding safety https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/enough-with-your-donts-fix-the-system-instead-say-angry-indian-women-demanding-safety Activists call for a change in societal attitudes as sexual assaults continue despite stricter laws. - New York Times ☛ Cornell Case Revives Anger About Handling of Campus Sexual Assault Cases https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/us/cornell-rape-campus-sexual-assault.html A lawsuit alleging rape at Cornell has led to an outpouring of women sharing stories about sexual violence on college campuses. - - Digital Restrictions DRM - Tom's Hardware ☛ Buying used CPUs can expose users to existing bans from anti-cheat engines, and there's no way to check for violations before purchase https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/buying-used-cpus-can-expose-users-to-existing-bans-from-anti-cheat-engines-some-anti-cheat-engines-enforce-permanent-bans-while-others-have-an-expiration-date The CPU's previous owner apparently used it for cheating on Valorant, with its HWID getting flagged by Vanguard. When the Redditor bought and installed it on their PC, their Valorant account received a ban, too. - - Monopolies/Monopsonies - Copyrights - International Business Times ☛ Olivia Dean's 'I've Seen It' Faces Seizure, Destruction Demand After Labels Allegedly Ignored Copyright Warning https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/olivia-dean-ive-seen-it-copyright-lawsuit-1823452 Bleunig Music has sued publishers linked to Olivia Dean's 'I've Seen It', alleging similarities with 'Just the Two of Us' and seeking damages and the destruction of copies. - - - Image source : Hummingbird bird vintage art https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=361616&picture=hummingbird-bird-vintage-art