Samantha Cole

Senior Editor, Motherboard

samantha.cole@vice.com
porn

Pornhub Sues Texas Over Age Verification Law

The law would require a “Texas Health and Human Services Warning” on all porn sites.
Samantha Cole
8.11.23
zoom

Zoom Changes TOS to Say It Won't Train AI on Your Calls 'Without Your Consent' After Backlash

Zoom added a line to its terms of use on Monday, after concerns that the company was using calls to train artificial intelligence algorithms went viral.
Samantha Cole
8.7.23
autoblow

This Thought-Controlled Sex Toy Lets You Masturbate With Your Mind

Brian Sloan's latest version of the Autoblow uses EEG to enter the mind of the masturbator.
Samantha Cole
7.24.23
TikTok

Viral TikTok NPC Streamer Pinkydoll Doesn't Care What You Think

"They love me. I ain’t gon lie it feel amazing to have all the attention and getting pay at the same time.”
Samantha Cole
7.17.23
Reddit

You Can't Look at Porn on Any Reddit Third-Party App Now

Following changes to its API access, users are forced to log in on the official Reddit app if they want to view NSFW content on mobile.
Samantha Cole
7.6.23
AI

Man Who Tried to Kill Queen With Crossbow Encouraged By AI Chatbot, Prosecutors Say

Before entering Windsor Castle grounds with a crossbow, Jaswant Singh Chail told an AI companion, “I’m an assassin.” It responded, “I’m impressed."
Samantha Cole
7.5.23
Reddit

Reddit Moderators Are Protesting By Changing Their Communities to NSFW 

As some subreddits reopen following protests against Reddit's new API fees, mods are allowing porn in their communities.
Samantha Cole
6.21.23

There’s Something Sad About Our Obsession With the ‘Orca Uprising’ 

Humans want to see the whales fight back, but scientists say they're probably not in their revenge era, or "orcanizing" after all.
Samantha Cole
6.16.23
Crime

'Braiiiiiins': Alleged Harvard Human Remains Trafficker Left PayPal Notes

The former morgue manager for the Anatomical Gifts Program at Harvard Medical School and co-conspirators exchanged payments for parts like “head number 7.”
Samantha Cole
6.15.23
Gaming

Is Anyone Actually ‘Poopsocking’ Diablo 4?

The latest installment of Blizzard's beloved and feared franchise brings back a phrase that's part urban legend, part mental state.
Samantha Cole
6.14.23
Reddit

Reddit CEO Says Keeping Explicit Content on the Site Is a ‘Constant Fight’

Steve Huffman said in an announcement that starting July 5, Reddit will "limit access to mature content via our Data API."
Samantha Cole
6.9.23
SmartPhones

Your Phone Isn't Capturing the Reality of Wildfires. Here's How.

Smartphone cameras use algorithms trained on normal landscapes, and aren't prepared to capture the colors of a climate crisis.
Samantha Cole
6.8.23
01116