The era of worldwide facial recognition tech is already here
THE BIG STORY
Clearview AI offered free facial recognition trials to police all around the world.  (Ben Kothe/BuzzFeed News) Based on new reporting and data reviewed by BuzzFeed News, Clearview AI took its controversial US marketing playbook around the world, offering free trials to employees at law enforcement agencies in countries including Australia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom
That data, which runs up until February 2020, shows that police departments, prosecutors' offices, universities, and interior ministries from around the world ran nearly 14,000 searches with Clearview AI's software. At many law enforcement agencies, officers used the software without their higher-ups' knowledge or permission. After receiving questions from BuzzFeed News, some organizations admitted that the technology had been used without leadership oversight.
Clearview claims its software is more accurate than other facial recognition technologies because it is trained on a database of more than 3 billion images scraped from websites and social media platforms. Law enforcement officers using Clearview can take a photo of a suspect or person of interest, run it through the software, and receive possible matches for that individual within seconds.
Clearview has claimed that its app is 100% accurate in documents provided to law enforcement officials, but BuzzFeed News has seen the software misidentify people, highlighting a larger concern with facial recognition technologies.
STAYING ON TOP OF THIS
OnlyFans is reversing its ban on adult content, but sex workers say it's already cost them followers and money.
Less than a week after OnlyFans' controversial announcement that it will ban sexually explicit content on its platform, the company is reversing course and suspending its ban.
But for many OnlyFans adult creators, this abrupt U-turn feels like too little, too late. Many sex workers say they've already seen a loss of followers and income after the company's announcement of the ban. Additionally, others are angry that the platform has jeopardized the very workers who catapulted OnlyFans to mainstream success.
"Every single dime that company has made has revolved around porn whether they want to admit it or not," said adult content creator Skylar Shark. "I think it's hilarious now watching them try to pick up the pieces from a vase they threw at the wall."
SNAPSHOTS
The baby from Nirvana's "Nevermind" album cover is suing the band and Kurt Cobain's estate for alleged "child pornography." The now 30-year-old claims that his "true identity and legal name are forever tied to the commercial sexual exploitation he experienced as a minor."
A defendant involved in the alleged plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been sentenced to 75 months in prison. Ty Garbin is the only defendant in the case to have pleaded guilty, and prosecutors say he will be a "star witness" in the upcoming trial.
An advanced FBI spy plane that was used to watch Black Lives Matter protests last year is now up for sale. Some prospective buyers may eventually convert it into a private jet, which are currently in hot demand as the pandemic has driven wealthy people away from airlines.
Tony Hawk is selling skateboards infused with his blood (???) for $500 each (!!!). It's sparking debate about the backlash Lil Nas X received over his Satan Shoes. It's almost like the satanic panic had more to do with Lil Nas X being Black and queer than his blood, argue many social media users.
CASE CLOSED
A judge just slammed Sidney Powell and other Trump-allied lawyers for "profound abuse" of the legal system. Sidney Powell and right-wing attorney Lin Wood were key leaders in a series of (failed) legal challenges to President Biden's election wins in several swing states, including Michigan. Now, they've been sanctioned by a federal judge for their "historic and profound abuse of the judicial process."
In an 110-page opinion, US District Judge Linda Parker provided a detailed public accounting of how the lawyers misused the legal system to press baseless voter fraud claims to Biden's win in Michigan. "[T]his case was never about fraud — it was about undermining the People's faith in our democracy and debasing the judicial process to do so," the judge wrote.
In her decision, Parker ruled that Powell and her team will pay the legal costs of the state and local officials in Michigan they'd sued. They could face disciplinary action or even disbarment in the states where they're licensed to practice law, and Parker has also ordered them to take classes on basic legal procedure and election law. SMOOTH LIKE BUTTER
Megan Thee Stallion will release a collab with BTS this Friday after suing her record label over it.
 Megan Thee Stallion, aka the Htown Hottie, aka the Hot Girl coach. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy) On Tuesday, Megan Thee Stallion filed a lawsuit against her record label 1501 Certified Entertainment, alleging it would not let her release a remix of BTS's hit single "Butter."
According to the complaint, 1501 told the artist via a "vague email" that it did not believe the BTS collaboration would be "good for her career." (BTS has dominated international chart records, sold-out stadiums worldwide, and gained a reputation as the "21st century Beatles," but okay, 1501.) The label then said it would require a "waiver" that would allow Megan to participate if it received a fee of $100,000.
In response, Megan alleges that her label has "no contact with me except when they want money, and they have done nothing to benefit my art. … An artist, especially a music artist, cannot be silenced without causing tremendous injury."
Ultimately, the rapper emerged victorious from this dispute — for now. Megan's lawyers requested a temporary restraining order to prevent the label from stopping the release of the "Butter" remix. The order was granted, and the single is set for release this Friday. Put your favorite song on repeat today :) Alexa 📝 This letter was edited and brought to you by Alexa Lee and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.
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