## The U.S. Government Just Banned Anthropic's Most Powerful AI Models — Here's Why History Says It Won't Stick

For more than 30 years, governments around the world have attempted to bottle up dangerous cybersecurity software using export controls. The results have been, at best, mixed. Now the United States is applying that same playbook to artificial intelligence — specifically to Anthropic's advanced cybersecurity model, Mythos — and history offers little reason for optimism.

Last Friday, the White House directed Anthropic to immediately halt exports of two of its flagship AI models, Fable and Mythos, citing vague national security concerns. The directive extended to foreign nationals residing inside the U.S. as well. Within roughly 90 minutes of being notified, Anthropic pulled both models offline, leaving them inaccessible to everyone for over a week.

This marks the first genuine test of whether Washington can leverage export restrictions to rein in frontier AI — a question whose answer will not only determine Anthropic's future in global markets but also set a precedent that every other major AI lab will need to factor into its business strategy.

## What Made Mythos So Controversial in the First Place

When Anthropic launched Mythos in April, it was never a product for the general public. The company positioned it as an extraordinarily powerful cybersecurity tool — one capable of identifying and exploiting software vulnerabilities at a scale that made even its creators cautious. Before any government ban, access was already limited to roughly 150 carefully vetted companies and government agencies. The idea was to put the technology in the hands of defenders so they could shore up their systems before malicious actors could develop equivalent capabilities independently.

So what pushed federal officials over the edge? Two events, reportedly. First, Anthropic extended Mythos access to a South Korean telecommunications company through its limited partner program. U.S. officials became alarmed when they identified the firm — widely reported to be SK Telecom — as a company they believed had ties to China. SK Telecom has flatly denied any such connection.

The second trigger came from an unlikely source: Amazon CEO Andy Jassy reportedly alerted the administration after Amazon's own researchers claimed they had found a way to bypass the safety guardrails of Fable 5, another Anthropic model. Anthropic pushed back on that characterization, describing the issue as a narrow, already-patched edge case rather than a fundamental security failure.

Regardless of who was right, the Commerce Department issued an export control directive, and Anthropic was forced to act almost immediately.

## A Decades-Long Track Record of Failure

The uncomfortable truth is that export controls on cybersecurity technology have a poor track record. The most glaring example dates back to the early 1990s, when the U.S. government attempted to suppress a piece of encryption software called Pretty Good Privacy, or PGP.

Developed by programmer Phil Zimmermann, PGP allowed users to encrypt their digital communications so effectively that even intercepted messages were virtually impossible to decode. Federal authorities worried the tool would blind intelligence agencies trying to monitor communications and responded by opening a criminal investigation against Zimmermann under arms export control laws.

Zimmermann's countermove was both clever and defiant: he published PGP's source code as a physical printed book, making it legally protected speech under the First Amendment. The move ignited the so-called "Crypto Wars," a prolonged standoff between technologists and governments over the right to use strong encryption. Zimmermann ultimately prevailed — the investigation was dropped — and the encryption algorithms that emerged from that era now secure the private messages of billions of people on platforms like Signal and WhatsApp.

## Spyware and the Limits of the Wassenaar Arrangement

The next major chapter in cyber export control came in the early 2010s, when security researchers began uncovering surveillance software built by Western companies deployed against journalists, dissidents, and activists across the Middle East and beyond. Governments responded by expanding the Wassenaar Arrangement, an existing international treaty designed to regulate dual-use technologies — those with both civilian and military applications.

The goal was to require spyware makers to obtain export licenses before selling their products to foreign governments. In theory, this would create a paper trail and a gatekeeping mechanism. In practice, the arrangement was riddled with structural weaknesses.

### Two Core Problems That Undermined the Approach

First, not every country signed on. Israel, home to some of the world's most prolific spyware developers, has never been a party to the Wassenaar Arrangement. Second, even among signatory nations, enforcement was left entirely to each government's discretion — and many were remarkably permissive.

Italy, for instance, allowed its homegrown spyware firm Hacking Team to export its surveillance tools globally for years, even as evidence mounted that the company's clients included authoritarian governments using the software to target human rights defenders and members of the free press. Europe more broadly has been repeatedly criticized for allowing spyware companies to operate with minimal accountability. Critics of the European Union's most recent efforts to address the problem say the new measures still "do not go far enough."

Some companies simply relocated to countries with looser regulations when heat from authorities became too intense. Intellexa, a sanctioned spyware consortium, restructured its operations across multiple jurisdictions to stay a step ahead of enforcement. Others reportedly explored moving to Saudi Arabia for similar reasons.

There have been isolated victories. German prosecutors successfully shut down spyware company FinFisher in 2022 after a years-long investigation into the firm's alleged sale of surveillance tools to Turkey without a proper export license — tools that had been found on the phones of Turkish government critics. But such outcomes are the exception, not the rule.

## What Happens Next with Anthropic and Mythos

As of now, the standoff between Anthropic and the Trump administration remains unresolved. Two plausible outcomes loom. The administration could walk back the restriction, effectively acknowledging that AI capabilities similar to Mythos will inevitably emerge in other countries — including China — regardless of what American regulators do. Alternatively, the government could formalize a system requiring AI companies to seek approval before serving international customers, a compliance burden that would add cost, complexity, and competitive disadvantage for U.S. firms.

Neither path is clean. And given what the past three decades have demonstrated about the limits of software export controls — whether applied to encryption tools or commercial spyware — there is little evidence that government-mandated restrictions alone can reliably prevent sophisticated technology from reaching the wrong hands.

The Mythos ban may ultimately be remembered less as an effective security measure and more as the moment the AI industry confronted a question the cybersecurity world has been wrestling with for a generation: can any government truly contain powerful dual-use technology once it exists?

The U.S. ban on Anthropic's Mythos AI model echoes decades of failed cyber export controls. Here's what history tells us about what comes next.

Why Anthropic's Mythos AI Export Ban Will Likely Fail

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Why U.S. Cyber Export Controls Keep Failing — And What Anthropic's Mythos Ban Tells Us

## Prime Day 2026 Is Already Delivering Big Savings on Espresso Machines

If you've been thinking about ditching your daily Starbucks habit and brewing café-quality espresso at home, Amazon's early Prime Day 2026 deals just gave you the perfect excuse. Two standout semiautomatic espresso machines — the Breville Barista Express and the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro — are currently discounted at some of the lowest prices seen in years. Coincidentally, these happen to be the very machines most commonly recommended to espresso newcomers ready to stop spending $7 per drink.

## Breville Barista Express: A Decade-Proven Crowd Favorite

### What Makes It Special

The Breville Barista Express has held its position as the top-selling semiautomatic espresso machine for so long it's practically an institution. Unlike basic espresso makers, this all-in-one machine comes equipped with a built-in grinder and steaming wand, giving you everything you need to craft rich, milk-frothed beverages without sourcing separate equipment.

For roughly ten years, WIRED has consistently featured the Barista Express among its top espresso machine picks, praising its winning combination of value, reliability, precision, and user-friendly design. The current Prime Day 2026 promotion slashes $200 off its regular price — a discount significant enough to warrant a double-take.

### Why So Many People Love It

The Barista Express succeeds by striking the right balance. It's priced accessibly, operates intuitively, and is backed by Breville's well-regarded customer support and warranty service — a critical factor for a machine you're hoping to use for many years. While its built-in grinder doesn't quite match the performance of Breville's premium Oracle Jet model, it consistently delivers full-bodied, well-extracted espresso from medium and dark roasts.

Longevity is another strong selling point. WIRED's own senior gear editor Julian Chokkattu has been using his Barista Express for seven years, and the machine continues to perform without issue — a real-world testament to its durability.

## Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro: The Impressive New Challenger

### An Unexpected Contender

When Ninja announced its entry into the semiautomatic espresso machine market back in 2024, industry observers were cautious. The brand was better known for blenders and air fryers than precision coffee brewing. However, the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro has since proven those doubts largely unfounded.

For Prime Day 2026, the Luxe Cafe Pro is $150 off, matching the lowest price it has ever been offered at — making now an ideal time to consider picking one up.

### Where the Ninja Shines

The Pro model stands out from its sibling, the Luxe Cafe Premium, thanks to several practical upgrades. It features a bean assist function that helps users dial in their coffee beans for optimal flavor extraction — an uncommon perk at this price tier. It also includes a manual tamping lever and a hot water spout, both of which are absent from the lower-end model.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro is its milk frother. Powered by a magnetic metal whisk positioned at the base of the milk carafe, it produces some of the most consistently smooth, well-integrated frothed milk available from any automatic frother on the market. For latte lovers in particular, this feature alone could make the Ninja the preferred choice.

### A Few Caveats

The Ninja doesn't carry the same years of field-tested reliability as the Breville, which is worth noting for those prioritizing long-term dependability. Additionally, the built-in drip coffee function is widely considered underwhelming and is best avoided. But as a dedicated espresso and latte machine, the Luxe Cafe Pro punches well above its weight.

## Which One Should You Buy?

Both machines offer exceptional value during Prime Day 2026. The **Breville Barista Express** is the safer, more proven choice — ideal for those who prioritize track record, consistent espresso quality, and strong customer support. The **Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro** is the better pick for milk-drink enthusiasts who want a cutting-edge frothing system and are comfortable with a newer brand in the espresso space.

Either way, both deals represent some of the strongest early Prime Day savings of 2026 and won't last forever.

Shop the best early Prime Day 2026 espresso machine deals. Breville Barista Express and Ninja Luxe Cafe Pro are both at record-low prices right now.

Best Prime Day 2026 Espresso Machine Deals: Breville & Ninja

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Best Early Prime Day 2026 Deals: Top Espresso Machines From Breville and Ninja

## Rivian Hit With Class Action Suit Over Broken Autonomous Driving Promises

Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian is now facing a class action lawsuit that accuses the company of deliberately misleading consumers about the self-driving capabilities of its flagship R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. The complaint, filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, centers on first-generation versions of both vehicles and paints a picture of a company that made grand promises it allegedly never intended to keep.

## What the Lawsuit Claims

According to the plaintiffs, Rivian spent approximately five years running a nationwide marketing campaign in which it allegedly assured buyers that its Driver+ system would bring hands-free, eyes-off driving to every vehicle it produced. This type of capability falls under what the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) classifies as Level 3 autonomy — a standard that allows a vehicle to independently manage steering, acceleration, and braking under specific conditions, such as highway driving or low-speed travel, without requiring constant driver input. It is important to note that Level 3 autonomy does not mean the vehicle operates without any human oversight; drivers must remain alert and ready to intervene when the situation demands it.

The legal complaint pulls no punches in its characterization of Rivian's conduct. It states that no software update, regardless of its sophistication, will ever enable first-generation R1 vehicles to perform as advertised. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that Rivian was fully aware its Gen 1 vehicles could never achieve Level 3 autonomy or genuine hands-free driving, yet continued promoting these supposed capabilities to drive consumer purchases.

Among the specific incidents highlighted in the suit is Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe's appearance at TechCrunch Disrupt 2022, during which he reportedly made statements regarding the company's autonomous driving ambitions.

## Legal Representation and Claims

Three named plaintiffs are included in the lawsuit, which is being handled by law firms Coleman Law and Tycko & Zavareei. The legal team has formally requested a jury trial. The complaint lodges several serious allegations against Rivian, including fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment.

Rivian has chosen not to publicly address the lawsuit, citing the ongoing nature of the litigation as its reason for declining comment.

## Rivian's Legal History and the Gen 2 Divide

This is not the first time Rivian has found itself in legal hot water. The company previously settled a class action lawsuit brought by shareholders for $250 million following a controversial price hike on its R1 models back in 2022.

What makes the current dispute particularly pointed is the contrast between Rivian's first- and second-generation vehicles. First-generation R1T and R1S models do not offer hands-free driving in any form. However, when Rivian overhauled its R1 lineup in 2024, the second-generation models received a comprehensive internal upgrade — including a redesigned battery pack, updated suspension, revamped electrical architecture, new interior seating, and an enhanced sensor array.

### Second-Generation Capabilities

The second-gen vehicles were outfitted with what Rivian calls its "Rivian Autonomy Platform," a system that comes standard and includes 11 cameras, five radar sensors, and a central computer boasting ten times the processing power of the previous generation. These vehicles initially launched with adaptive cruise control and a highway assist feature capable of automated steering, braking, and acceleration on select highway routes.

Later, Rivian pushed out a software update introducing "Universal Hands-Free" driving to second-generation vehicles. This feature enables drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel across more than 3.5 million miles of roadway throughout the United States and Canada — covering a blend of highways and surface streets — provided visible lane markings are present.

First-generation owners, however, receive none of these upgrades, which forms the crux of the lawsuit.

## A Broader Industry Problem

Rivian is hardly alone in facing legal and regulatory scrutiny over autonomous driving claims. Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk have been making bold assertions about full vehicle autonomy for the better part of a decade through the company's Full Self-Driving software. A number of Tesla owners have pursued legal action over the company's failure to deliver on those promises.

Regulators have also stepped in. The California Department of Motor Vehicles filed formal accusations alleging Tesla violated state law by misleading consumers about the capabilities of both its Autopilot system and its more advanced Full Self-Driving software. A judge ultimately sided with the DMV. However, the agency chose in February not to impose a 30-day suspension of Tesla's California sales and manufacturing licenses — a penalty it waived after the automaker agreed to stop using the term "Autopilot" in its California-based marketing materials.

As the EV industry continues to mature and competition intensifies, the gap between marketing language and real-world capability is increasingly becoming a legal battleground — one that automakers are learning can carry significant financial and reputational consequences.

Rivian faces a class action lawsuit alleging the EV maker falsely promised hands-free Level 3 autonomous driving for its first-generation R1T and R1S vehicles.

Rivian Sued Over False Self-Driving Feature Promises

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Rivian Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Self-Driving Feature Deception

## Apple Customers Brace for Higher Prices Amid Global Memory Chip Crisis

Artificial intelligence is proving to be a double-edged sword for Apple. While the tech giant races to integrate AI capabilities across its product lineup, the same technology is driving up hardware costs in ways that could soon hit consumers directly in the wallet.

## The 'RAMageddon' Effect on Apple Products

The phenomenon now being referred to as "RAMageddon" — a sweeping global shortage of memory chips fueled by AI's relentless appetite for hardware — is putting serious pressure on Apple's pricing structure. Outgoing CEO Tim Cook has confirmed what many industry analysts feared: price increases on future Apple devices, including the iPhone, Mac, and iPad, are effectively unavoidable.

In a candid interview with The Wall Street Journal, Cook described the current situation as "unsustainable," noting that memory and storage chip costs have surged fourfold compared to the previous year. Despite Apple's efforts to absorb these rising costs internally, the company says it can no longer shield consumers from the financial impact.

## Which Apple Products Could Get More Expensive?

Cook stopped short of identifying specific products or announcing exact timelines for price adjustments. However, memory supply industry experts speaking to the Financial Times suggested that the iPhone is almost certain to be among the first products affected. With Apple traditionally unveiling its new iPhone lineup in September, that launch window presents a natural opportunity to introduce revised pricing.

Beyond the iPhone, virtually every Apple product incorporates DRAM memory or NAND storage chips — including the Apple Watch, iPad, Mac computers, and the Apple Vision Pro headset. All of these devices could potentially see price increases as chip costs continue to climb.

### How Much More Could the Next iPhone Cost?

Research firm TechInsights offered a sobering estimate to the WSJ, suggesting Apple would need to add approximately **$270** to the price of the next iPhone Pro model just to maintain its current profit margins. Given that the iPhone 17 Pro already starts at $1,099, that would push the entry price for a Pro model close to $1,370 — a significant jump that would test consumer loyalty.

Incoming Apple CEO John Ternus echoed these concerns back in April, reinforcing that chip cost pressures are a serious operational challenge the company is actively monitoring.

## AI's Rocky Relationship With Apple

The memory chip crisis arrives at an already difficult moment for Apple on the artificial intelligence front. The company has faced substantial criticism for its slow and uncertain AI strategy, and earlier this year it agreed to pay a **$250 million settlement** to resolve a false advertising lawsuit. The lawsuit stemmed from Apple's failure to deliver AI-powered Siri features it had publicly promised nearly two years prior.

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, held earlier this month, offered some reassurance — showcasing meaningful progress on its AI roadmap, including a significant overhaul of the Siri voice assistant. However, more sophisticated on-device AI processing inherently requires more memory, meaning the very features designed to make Apple devices smarter could further accelerate the demand for the chips now in short supply.

## What This Means for Consumers

For everyday Apple users, the takeaway is straightforward: the next generation of Apple products may come with notably higher price tags. The convergence of AI-driven chip demand, global supply constraints, and Apple's own AI ambitions appears to be setting the stage for a new — and more expensive — chapter in consumer electronics pricing.

Whether Apple can soften the blow through supply chain adjustments or strategic partnerships remains to be seen. For now, consumers eyeing an upgrade this fall may want to plan their budgets accordingly.

Apple CEO Tim Cook warns iPhone and Mac prices may rise significantly as AI drives a global memory chip shortage, potentially adding $270 to the next iPhone Pro

Apple Warns of Price Hikes Amid AI Memory Chip Shortage

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Apple Warns of Inevitable Price Hikes as AI Fuels Global Memory Chip Shortage

## When Trying for a Baby Reveals an Unexpected Problem

For many young, healthy men, fertility is the last thing on their minds. They work out, eat well, and assume their reproductive health is fine. That assumption can be wrong.

Take Paris, a man based in Miami who began trying to conceive with his partner. After six months of no success, the couple decided to get checked out. The surprising result: Paris was the one with the fertility issue. Despite his active lifestyle and clean diet, his sperm showed signs of trouble — a discovery that shook his confidence but ultimately set him on a path toward real answers.

His story is far from unique, and it sits at the center of a growing phenomenon sweeping wellness and biohacking communities: **sperm-maxxing**.

---

## What Is Sperm-Maxxing?

Sperm-maxxing refers to the practice of optimizing male reproductive health through a range of lifestyle interventions. Followers track detailed metrics like sperm count, motility (the ability of sperm to swim effectively), morphology (their shape and size), and DNA fragmentation. Some go further — icing their testicles, abstaining from pornography, swapping underwear brands, or experimenting with red-light therapy.

While plenty of influencers pushing this trend peddle questionable advice — organic cotton boxers won't meaningfully change your fertility outcomes — there is a legitimate core to the conversation that medical experts are cautiously welcoming.

"I'm encouraged anytime the spotlight shifts to male fertility," says **Michael Eisenberg**, a professor of urology at Stanford University. "I think it's been underappreciated for a long time. Fertility is a team sport."

---

## Male Fertility: An Overlooked Half of the Equation

Infertility affects approximately one in six people worldwide, yet reproductive health has historically been framed as a women's issue. Women bear the physical demands of pregnancy, which has long skewed medical attention in that direction. However, research now estimates that male factors contribute to **30 to 50 percent** of all infertility cases — and yet men are not evaluated in roughly one in four cases.

Beyond conception itself, men's health before pregnancy can influence whether a pregnancy ends in miscarriage, whether the mother develops preeclampsia — a potentially life-threatening condition — or whether the child is born with certain birth defects. Sperm carry epigenetic markers that are sensitive to a man's environment and lifestyle choices, meaning what a man does in the months before conception genuinely matters.

It takes approximately two to three months for sperm to fully mature, which means lifestyle improvements can produce measurable changes within a relatively short window.

---

## What the Science Actually Says

### Diet and Nutrition

Some viral accounts urge men to load up on beef, butter, and raw milk to boost testosterone and sperm health. The science tells a different story. Diets high in saturated fats are associated with **lower sperm counts**, reducing the likelihood of conception. By contrast, the **Mediterranean diet** — rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and dietary fiber — is consistently linked with improved sperm count, motility, and morphology.

### Environmental Toxins

Researchers are increasingly focused on the role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and microplastics in male infertility. Prolonged exposure to these substances may trigger oxidative stress — a cellular imbalance that damages sperm motility and viability. Longevity influencer Bryan Johnson made headlines by claiming to have eliminated microplastics from his semen, outlining steps such as replacing plastic cutting boards.

However, urologists urge perspective. **Jesse Mills**, director of the Men's Clinic at UCLA, puts it plainly: "There are easier things to worry about before microplastics — lose weight, exercise, and stop smoking, either weed or tobacco."

### Supplements: Proceed With Caution

Testosterone therapy is promoted by some sperm-maxxers, but this approach can actually backfire. Exogenous testosterone can disrupt the body's natural sperm production process and may **reduce fertility** rather than enhance it.

As for popular supplements like zinc and folic acid, a randomized clinical trial — the gold standard of medical research — found that men taking these did not experience significantly better semen quality or higher birth rates compared to those on a placebo. Mills acknowledges that supplements are unlikely to cause harm, but warns that many studies supporting them are industry-funded, which may inflate their apparent benefits.

### The Basics Still Matter Most

Research consistently points to the same core factors affecting sperm health: obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, inadequate or excessive exercise, poor sleep quality, chronic stress, and repeated heat exposure from sources like hot tubs or saunas.

"It's the boring things that count: eat, move, sleep," Mills says.

---

## The Age Factor Men Rarely Discuss

Paternal age receives far less public attention than maternal age, yet sperm quality declines as men grow older. Advanced paternal age is associated with increased risks of pregnancy complications, birth defects, autism, and schizophrenia. **Jonathan Huang**, a reproductive endocrinologist at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, argues this risk deserves far more awareness than it currently receives.

---

## Navigating the Gaps in Research

Despite growing interest in male reproductive health, significant gaps remain. Many studies suffer from small sample sizes, rely on animal models, or focus exclusively on men who already have diagnosed fertility problems. **Tim Moss**, a science communicator at Healthy Male — a men's health nonprofit in Australia — cautions against over-applying findings from clinical fertility populations to the broader male public.

"Lots of those studies have been performed in men with established reproductive problems from the start," Moss explains. "They are very different from the majority of people who have not sought fertility help."

This ambiguity leaves men navigating a wellness landscape full of confident, often monetized claims that the science doesn't fully support.

---

## From Trend to Real Diagnosis

For Paris, the sperm-maxxing rabbit hole led him somewhere genuinely useful. His semen analysis flagged low morphology — abnormally shaped sperm — which prompted further investigation. The eventual diagnosis was **varicoceles**: enlarged veins in the scrotum, comparable to varicose veins, and one of the most common correctable causes of male infertility. He underwent corrective surgery in February.

"Men my age think they're doing everything right," Paris says, "but they can still have things going on internally that they have no idea about." He now shares his experience online to encourage men to pursue hormone and semen testing early in their conception journey rather than waiting for a formal infertility diagnosis after a year of trying.

---

## Should All Men Get Tested?

Both Mills and Eisenberg support the idea of men proactively assessing their sperm quality — even those not currently trying to conceive. Eisenberg has described semen analysis as a potential **"sixth vital sign,"** arguing that declining semen parameters often reflect broader declines in overall health. He now serves as chief medical adviser for SwimClub, a men's fertility supplement company, whose products include fish oil — shown in research to support sperm quality — alongside other ingredients with less robust evidence.

However, experts are careful to temper expectations. Fertility involves an irreducible element of chance, and placing excessive focus on sperm optimization can lead men toward self-blame when conception proves difficult.

"If we're just going to reduce men's fertility to the simple idea that you maximize your sperm count, and that's what you need, then we're doing a disservice to those men," Moss warns.

---

## The Bottom Line

The sperm-maxxing trend is a mixed bag — part pseudoscience, part legitimate public health opportunity. Strip away the unproven hacks and the supplement industry marketing, and what remains is a meaningful message: **men's reproductive health matters, it's measurable, and it's modifiable**. Getting tested early, eating well, exercising regularly, sleeping enough, and avoiding harmful substances are steps any man can take — no ice packs or red-light devices required.

Is the sperm-maxxing trend legit? Experts weigh in on male fertility, lifestyle changes, supplements, and what the science actually supports.

Sperm-Maxxing Trend: What Science Says About Male Fertility

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The Rise of Sperm-Maxxing: Wellness Trend or Legitimate Health Movement?

# Dell Coupon Codes & Deals: Save Up to 20% in 2026

Whether you're upgrading your home office setup, hunting for a powerful gaming rig, or shopping for a college-ready laptop, Dell offers a surprisingly wide range of ways to save. From promo codes and loyalty rewards to exclusive discounts for students and seniors, here's everything you need to know to get the best value on Dell products.

## Get 10% Off as a New Dell Customer

First-time Dell shoppers have a compelling reason to make the switch. New customers who sign up for Dell's email newsletter receive 10% off their first purchase, along with access to exclusive inbox offers and invitations to limited-time flash sale events throughout the year.

Additionally, shoppers can apply Dell promo code **AFFBUNDLE10** to receive an extra 10% off when bundling select PCs with compatible accessories. For those looking to stretch their tech budget even further, Dell's clearance section regularly features discounted inventory at reduced prices.

## 20% Off: Shop the Dell Outlet for Refurbished Savings

One of the smartest ways to save on Dell technology is by shopping the **Dell Outlet**, which stocks certified refurbished devices in like-new condition at significantly reduced prices. For example, the **Dell 14 Premium** is available refurbished for just $1,036 — a savings of $259 compared to buying new.

This model comes equipped with Intel Arc 140T Graphics and an FHD RGB + IR Camera with built-in microphone, making it a strong performer at a lower price point. The Dell Outlet inventory rotates frequently, so regular visits are worthwhile for anyone tracking a specific product.

## Save $520 on the Dell 14 Plus With a College Email

The **Dell 14 Plus** earned strong praise when reviewed for its fast processing speed, impressive battery life, quality IPS display, and comfortable keyboard. Students with a verified college email address can purchase this laptop for just $860 — a savings of $520 off the standard retail price.

The configuration includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor with eight cores, Windows 11 Home, Intel Arc Graphics, 16 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of SSD storage — a well-rounded package for academic and everyday use.

## Up to $450 Off Alienware Gaming Laptops and Monitors

Gaming enthusiasts and remote workers alike will find compelling deals across Dell's premium Alienware lineup during major sale events. Current highlights include:

- **$400 off** the Alienware 16X Aurora gaming laptop
- **$450 off** the Alienware 18 Area-51
- **$1,200 off** the Alienware Area-51 desktop, featuring 50% more processing power
- **$100 off** the Alienware 4K QD-OLED gaming monitor
- **$120 off** the Alienware 27 Gaming Monitor
- **30% off** a Dell 24-inch monitor with any qualifying laptop or desktop purchase
- Dell Rewards members can also earn up to **3x points (9% back)** on select Alienware monitors

Additional deals include $160 off Bose QuietComfort headphones (now $199), $350 off the Dell 14 Plus Laptop, $200 off the Dell 15, and $500 off the Dell 16 Plus. Software bundles are also available at 50% off when purchased alongside a new PC.

Dell's rotating weekly deals feature standout offers like Dell 27 Plus 4K monitors starting at $129, $400 off QD-OLED curved gaming monitors, $350 off Alienware Aurora desktops, and $200 off Tower Plus desktop computers.

## 10% Discount for Students, Military, and Healthcare Workers

Dell extends meaningful discounts to several key communities:

### Student Discount
College students can receive **10% off** products like Dell XPS laptops and Alienware systems. To claim this discount, create a Dell account, enroll in Dell Rewards, and verify your .edu email address through the membership tab in your account settings.

### Heroes Discount
Military members, veterans, government employees, and qualifying business customers can access an additional **5% Heroes discount**. Verification is handled quickly through GovX or VCS, and approved members gain early access to exclusive sale events.

## Dell's Ultimate College Offer: $500+ in Free Extras

For students preparing for college, Dell's **Ultimate College Offer** goes beyond a standard discount. Eligible students save an extra 10% on select PCs and receive the Microsoft College Bundle at no additional cost — a package valued at over $500 that includes:

- One year of **Microsoft 365**
- **Xbox Game Pass** membership
- A customizable **Xbox controller**

This limited-time offer is designed to support both academic productivity and personal downtime.

## Exclusive Senior Discounts at Dell

Dell is committed to making technology accessible for older adults by offering dedicated **senior discounts**. After creating a Dell account and enrolling in the Dell Rewards program, seniors can verify their status to unlock exclusive pricing on laptops and computing devices. Discounts are automatically applied at checkout once verification is complete.

## Earn Up to 6% Back With Dell Rewards

The **Dell Rewards program** is one of the most consistent ways to save across every purchase. Current members earn double points — equivalent to **6% back** — on nearly all products. Combine that with email sign-up benefits and select XPS or Dell Premium system discounts for a triple-stacked savings opportunity.

For new credit account holders, opening a **Dell Pay Credit Account** earns $100 (10,000 points) in Dell Rewards dollars upon enrollment. Standard Rewards members earn **3% back** on Dell.com purchases, with points typically credited to the account within 30 days of shipment. Members also gain access to exclusive perks, deal previews, and member-only promotions.

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Dell Coupon Codes & Deals: Save Up to 20% in 2026

## Anthropic Makes History by Joining Frontier's Carbon Removal Initiative

Anthropic has officially become the first AI-focused startup to join Frontier, the prominent carbon removal coalition, as part of a landmark $915 million funding round that nearly doubles the organization's total pledges to an impressive $1.8 billion.

## A Milestone for AI Companies and Climate Action

While tech giants like Google have been founding members of Frontier since its inception, Anthropic's arrival marks a significant shift — it is the first company whose core business is purely artificial intelligence to step into the coalition. This move is especially notable given that AI companies have recently been on an aggressive energy acquisition spree, raising widespread concerns about their overall environmental impact.

To date, Frontier has secured contracts worth nearly $700 million across more than 50 individual projects, collectively aimed at removing 1.8 million metric tons of carbon from the atmosphere. Member companies typically use Frontier's carbon removal credits to offset their publicly reported carbon footprints, much like applying a financial credit against a debt.

## Anthropic's First Step Toward Climate Accountability

This partnership represents Anthropic's inaugural foray into climate-related commitments. The company has not yet published a sustainability report and has publicly favored an "all of the above" energy strategy — a phrase that often signals reliance on polluting power sources. However, joining Frontier may indicate a gradual shift in the company's environmental priorities.

### Why Carbon Removal Credits Matter

Carbon removal credits function as a practical tool for companies that cannot eliminate every source of emissions immediately. Unavoidable activities such as business air travel continue to generate pollution, and carbon credits allow organizations to balance those emissions against verified removal efforts. Frontier plays a critical role by rigorously vetting carbon removal projects before issuing contracts, effectively serving as a trusted, shared resource for member companies.

## Frontier Raises the Bar for Future Projects

Alongside the new funding announcement, Frontier revealed it will apply a higher standard of scrutiny to future investments. Rather than spreading resources across numerous smaller projects, the coalition intends to concentrate on fewer, higher-impact initiatives — specifically those with a credible pathway to removing one gigaton, or one billion metric tons, of CO₂ annually. New contracts will span approximately eight to ten years.

This strategic pivot mirrors a similar transition observed at Microsoft, currently the largest single buyer of carbon removal credits, which has also begun consolidating its investments into fewer but more impactful projects.

### Technologies Frontier Has Supported

Since its founding in 2022, Frontier has backed a diverse portfolio of carbon removal technologies, including:

- **Direct air capture** — machines that pull CO₂ directly from the atmosphere
- **Enhanced rock weathering** — accelerating natural geological processes to absorb carbon
- **Bio-oil** — converting biomass into stable carbon-rich liquid
- **Ocean antacids** — reducing ocean acidity to enhance natural carbon absorption
- **Bioenergy with carbon capture and sequestration (BECCS)** — combining bioenergy production with carbon storage

## The Road Ahead: Government Must Eventually Step In

Frontier was originally established by Stripe, Google, Shopify, and other forward-thinking tech companies as a mechanism to help fulfill ambitious climate pledges. Many of these firms are targeting net-zero emissions within the next decade or two, yet certain emissions remain stubbornly difficult to eliminate today.

However, private industry has made it clear it does not intend to fund carbon removal indefinitely. Frontier now requires that any company entering a new contract must demonstrate a viable path toward government subsidies or public support. The organization has confirmed it will sign contracts extending as far out as 2040, with the implicit expectation that governments will assume greater responsibility for carbon removal funding by then.

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has emphasized that carbon dioxide removal technology will be essential for the world to achieve net-zero emissions. Yet meaningful government investment in this area remains limited. As global temperatures continue to rise, the urgency for public-sector engagement in carbon removal has never been greater.

Anthropic becomes the first AI startup to join Frontier's carbon removal coalition, contributing to a $915M funding round that brings total pledges to $1.8B.

Anthropic Joins Frontier Carbon Removal Coalition

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Anthropic Becomes the First AI Startup to Join the Frontier Carbon Removal Coalition

## Global AI Dependence Meets a Hard Political Reality

The question that has quietly haunted international technology policy finally broke into the open at the G7 Summit this week: What happens when the country that builds the world's most powerful AI decides to shut the door?

French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi both raised pointed concerns during the summit, warning fellow G7 leaders and top American AI executives that Washington holds an uncomfortable amount of leverage over the rest of the world's digital future. Their fears were not hypothetical — they were rooted in something that had just happened.

## The Anthropic Ban That Changed the Conversation

Days before the summit, the Trump administration moved to block Anthropic from exporting its latest Mythos 5 and Fable 5 AI models, citing national security concerns. The decision followed a tip from Amazon to the White House suggesting that certain safety guardrails built into the models could be circumvented.

Cybersecurity professionals have since pushed back on that rationale, pointing out that comparable capabilities exist in other AI systems — including models from OpenAI — that remain freely available internationally. Despite those objections, Anthropic's models remain under restriction with no clear timeline for resolution.

The episode crystallized a risk that international businesses and governments have long tried to avoid confronting directly: any organization that builds its operations on American AI infrastructure is now exposed to the possibility that access could be revoked without warning, and potentially without explanation.

## Macron's Warning to Washington

Speaking over lunch with G7 leaders and AI executives — a group that included Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and President Donald Trump — Macron delivered a blunt message. If the United States can "from one day to the next turn off the switch," he warned, the damage would extend far beyond the customers left stranded. It would ultimately hurt the American AI companies themselves, undermining the global trust they depend on to grow.

The argument was as much commercial as it was political. No government, no enterprise, and no startup will build critical systems on a foundation they cannot rely on.

## Modi Calls for Unfettered Access Among Democracies

Prime Minister Modi echoed those concerns, according to reporting from the Financial Times. He argued that democratic nations must have guaranteed, uninterrupted access to leading AI models, particularly when it comes to protecting critical national infrastructure. The Anthropic export restriction, in his view, set a troubling precedent for allied nations.

## The Case for Digital Sovereignty Grows Louder

The reaction from the broader technology industry was equally pointed. Aidan Gomez, co-founder and CEO of Cohere — a Canadian enterprise AI company — released a statement that framed the issue in stark terms.

"The recent restriction on access to Anthropic's models confirms what we at Cohere have known all along: that companies and democratic nations remaining dependent on a small handful of big tech companies is dangerous to resilience," Gomez said. "Digital sovereignty is not just about market competition or any one company or nation. It's about who controls the foundational technology that will shape our economic security and national sovereignty for decades to come."

## A 'Trusted Partners' Framework Takes Shape

In response to the growing unease, G7 leaders discussed the outlines of a potential "trusted partners" arrangement — a mechanism that would grant non-U.S. nations access to advanced AI systems from companies like Anthropic and OpenAI, even in cases where broader export restrictions apply.

Under the proposed framework, both countries and companies could qualify as trusted partners, provided they use the technology to strengthen their defenses against adversarial actors, with China named as the primary concern. The goal would be to maintain an open AI trade network that operates within — but is not entirely subject to — U.S. export controls.

Macron suggested that Washington itself has a strong incentive to support such a scheme. Broad adoption of American AI is only possible if buyers believe their access is secure. The moment that confidence erodes, the market for U.S. AI shrinks.

## The Limits of Sovereignty in a U.S.-Dominated Market

Yet significant questions remain about how far any trusted partner framework would actually reach. It is unclear whether such protections would extend to a small startup in Paris or Bangalore that woke up one morning to find its AI-powered product no longer functional — with no official explanation provided.

The tension is compounded by the fact that American AI models continue to outpace their international competitors. European and other non-U.S. governments have been pushing for AI sovereignty for years, but that argument becomes harder to sustain when opting out of American AI means falling behind. The world wants what the U.S. is building — it just wants assurances that what it buys cannot be taken back.

G7 leaders including Macron and Modi raised alarms at the summit over U.S. power to cut AI access, following the Trump administration's Anthropic export ban.

G7 Leaders Warn Against U.S. Control Over AI Access

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Global Leaders Want American AI — But Fear Washington Could Pull the Plug Anytime

## The Rise of Dual-Use AI Models

When Anthropic launched its Mythos AI model in April, it came with an unusual warning from the company itself: this technology is a double-edged sword. According to Anthropic, Mythos is capable of identifying software vulnerabilities to help security teams defend their systems — but those same capabilities could just as easily be weaponized by malicious actors.

The company acknowledged this tension openly when announcing both Mythos 5 and Claude Fable 5. In an official blog post, Anthropic wrote that advanced AI usage is inherently dual-use in nature, noting that queries valuable to cybersecurity professionals and biology researchers could pose serious dangers in the wrong hands.

## A Controlled Rollout That Sparked Federal Concern

In response to these risks, Anthropic initially released a preview version of the model exclusively to a vetted group of researchers through a program called Project Glasswing. Mythos 5 was similarly shared only within this private consortium, while Claude Fable 5 — described as carrying Mythos-level capabilities — was made available to the broader public, but with specific restrictions preventing it from responding to sensitive questions involving biology and cybersecurity.

Despite these precautions, the Trump administration moved to restrict access to both models late last week. Officials reportedly believe that Fable 5's built-in guardrails can be bypassed, effectively unlocking the full power of Mythos 5 and presenting what they characterized as a national security threat.

## Experts Warn: This Is Bigger Than One Company

While the government's intervention has drawn significant attention, cybersecurity specialists argue it misses the larger picture entirely. Anthropic may currently be at the forefront of this capability race, but comparable technologies are already emerging — or quietly existing — across multiple organizations.

"It's myopic in the extreme to think that no other competitors to Anthropic will develop similar capabilities to Mythos or even that they have not already done so," said Tarah Wheeler, Chief Security Officer at TPO Group. Wheeler added that rival companies are likely watching how Anthropic is being handled by regulators before deciding whether to publicly reveal their own advanced tools.

Anthropics own frontier red team lead, Logan Graham, echoed this sentiment when the Mythos Preview first launched. "We need to prepare now for a world where these capabilities are broadly available in 6, 12, 24 months," Graham told WIRED, emphasizing that the issue extends well beyond any single model or company.

Reinforcing this point, OpenAI conducted its own private release of a cybersecurity-focused AI model in mid-April and simultaneously announced a wider cybersecurity strategy — signaling that the race to develop powerful, security-relevant AI is already well underway across the industry.

## Existing Models Already Pose Significant Risks

Researchers point out that even before this latest generation of AI, existing models could already be leveraged for sophisticated vulnerability discovery and exploit development when paired with refined technical approaches. A broad coalition of cybersecurity leaders sent an open letter to the White House on Sunday arguing that the administration's export-control directive was fundamentally misguided.

Bruce Schneier, a prominent researcher affiliated with both Harvard University and the University of Toronto, put it plainly: "It's not one model; it's the general trend of technology. Smaller, cheaper, open-source models, sometimes by themselves and sometimes in concert with each other, can match Mythos and Fable's performance with more sophisticated prompting."

Schneier also cautioned that competing models are expected to match Mythos and Fable's creative problem-solving capabilities within months, with open-source alternatives following shortly thereafter.

## What Governments Should Actually Be Doing

Rather than focusing on restricting individual models, cybersecurity experts are calling on governments worldwide to develop comprehensive, transparent, and democratically informed strategies for managing the ongoing advancement of AI capabilities — particularly in sensitive domains like cybersecurity and biotechnology.

Chris Wysopal, co-founder of cloud security firm Veracode, framed the core policy question clearly: "The question is whether a specific restriction meaningfully reduces that risk or whether it mainly slows down the people trying to make systems safer."

The consensus among experts is clear — reactive measures targeting a single company or model will not contain a technological shift that is already well in motion. What is needed is forward-thinking governance that anticipates the road ahead rather than reacting to each new development as it emerges.

Anthropic's advanced AI models face government restrictions, but experts warn similar capabilities are spreading fast across the AI industry. Here's what it mea

Dangerous AI Models Are Coming — Experts Say Inevitable

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Advanced AI Models Pose Growing Security Risks — And Experts Say They're Inevitable

## Malaysia's Respond.io Lands $62.5M to Fuel AI Messaging Ambitions

Kuala Lumpur-based startup Respond.io has closed a $62.5 million Series B funding round, cementing its position as one of Southeast Asia's most compelling tech success stories. The round was led by Camber Partners, with contributions from Endeavor Catalyst and a group of returning investors. The company's last raise was a comparatively modest $7 million Series A back in 2022, making this latest round a significant leap forward.

## From Simple Idea to High-Growth Platform

Respond.io was founded in Hong Kong in 2017 with a straightforward mission: help businesses keep pace with customers who had largely abandoned email and phone calls in favor of messaging apps. CEO and co-founder Gerardo Salandra, a veteran of IBM and Google who previously worked at fitness app Runtastic before it was acquired by Adidas in 2015, launched the company alongside CTO Hassan Ahmed and COO Iaroslav Kudritskiy. The team later relocated operations to Malaysia in 2019.

Today, the platform serves mid- to large-sized B2C companies, enabling them to manage customer conversations across a wide array of messaging channels — including WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, Messenger, Telegram, WeChat, Line, voice calls, and web chat — all from a single interface.

## Impressive Financial Metrics Underpin the Raise

The numbers behind Respond.io's growth are hard to ignore. The company currently generates $35 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), reflecting a remarkable 169% year-over-year increase, while maintaining a healthy 30% profit margin. The platform is now processing an extraordinary 2 billion messages every quarter, a figure that both validates its market position and fuels its AI capabilities.

## AI Agents at the Core

What sets Respond.io apart from conventional customer relationship tools is its deep integration of AI agents. These intelligent systems autonomously handle large volumes of customer inquiries, qualify prospective leads, and can even close sales — all without requiring human involvement. Salandra describes the company's ideal customers as operating in "high-consideration" industries, where buyers typically need to ask questions and seek guidance before committing to a purchase. Healthcare providers, automotive dealers, educational institutions, travel companies, and retailers all fall within this category.

"You don't go to a website, put in your credit card, and buy a car," Salandra explained. "You chat with someone, you ask a lot of questions." The platform is particularly well-suited to businesses employing between 200 and 10,000 people.

## A Pricing Model Built for the AI Era

As generative AI tools like ChatGPT grow more capable, questions naturally arise about whether they could render platforms like Respond.io obsolete. Salandra is confident they won't — and points to the company's pricing structure as a key differentiator.

Unlike traditional enterprise software vendors that charge based on the number of user seats, Respond.io bills clients according to conversation volume. This means it doesn't matter whether a human agent or an AI is responding to a customer — the pricing remains consistent. "When fewer humans use your product, [competitors] make less money," Salandra noted. "But we don't charge like that."

This model positions the company to benefit directly from the growing adoption of AI, rather than being threatened by it. "Every day that AI becomes more prominent, we grow faster," he told TechCrunch.

## The Data Flywheel Advantage

Respond.io's massive message volume also creates what Salandra calls a "data flywheel" — a self-reinforcing growth cycle. More messages generate richer data, which improves the platform's AI performance. Better AI attracts new clients, who in turn produce even more messages. This compounding dynamic, combined with the company's eight-year head start in the messaging space, makes it difficult for newer entrants to compete on equal footing.

Incumbent platforms built primarily around email and phone-based workflows have struggled to make messaging a first-class feature, treating it instead as an afterthought. Respond.io was built messaging-first from day one, giving it a structural advantage in a market that is rapidly shifting toward conversational commerce.

## Strategic Plans for the Fresh Capital

Respond.io intends to deploy its new funding across three main areas: talent acquisition, organic growth, and strategic acquisitions. Salandra has identified two types of acquisition targets — bolt-on technologies that complement the existing platform, and established companies in key markets that already come with a built-in client base and operational team.

"Imagine how many months I can save if I find the right company that maybe already has the clients and the team," Salandra said. "I can save myself six months to a year through an acquisition." He confirmed that the company is already in early-stage discussions with a handful of potential targets.

## Eyes on North America and Western Europe

Geographically, Respond.io currently draws around 30% of its revenue from the Asia-Pacific region, another 30% from Latin America, and 20% from the Middle East and Africa. North America and Western Europe together account for just 20% — but those regions are now the company's fastest-growing markets.

Salandra believes these markets took longer to embrace messaging-based customer interactions but are now accelerating quickly. He expects North America and Western Europe to become the company's largest revenue segments within two to three years, making the acquisition strategy particularly timely.

## Disciplined Growth with Big Aspirations

Despite the substantial capital injection, Salandra is keen to avoid the growth-at-all-costs mindset that has derailed many high-profile startups. "Even with this money, we're going to be very disciplined," he said.

But discipline doesn't mean lack of ambition. When asked about his ideal outcome, the CEO didn't hesitate: "Ringing the bell at Nasdaq."

Malaysia's Respond.io secures $62.5M Series B, reporting $35M ARR and 169% growth as it expands its AI-powered customer messaging platform globally.

Respond.io Raises $62.5M for AI Messaging Platform

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Malaysia's Respond.io Secures $62.5M Series B to Expand AI-Powered Customer Messaging Platform

## Salesforce Makes Major Move with $3.6 Billion Fin Acquisition

Salesforce has announced a landmark agreement to acquire Fin, an AI-powered customer service platform, in a deal valued at approximately $3.6 billion. The acquisition, revealed on Monday, marks a significant step in Salesforce's ongoing push to dominate the enterprise AI space.

## What Is Fin and What Does It Offer?

Originally launched under the name Intercom, Fin has since rebranded to reflect its evolution into a dedicated AI solutions provider. The platform delivers an intelligent AI agent capable of resolving customer inquiries across a wide range of communication channels, including live chat, WhatsApp, SMS, phone calls, and Slack. This multi-channel approach gives businesses the flexibility to meet customers wherever they are.

## Strengthening Agentforce with Proven AI Technology

Salesforce's primary motivation behind the acquisition is to enhance Agentforce, its enterprise-grade platform that enables organizations to design and deploy custom AI agents for task automation. By integrating Fin's technology and talent, Salesforce aims to deliver more powerful and reliable service agent capabilities to its growing customer base.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff expressed strong enthusiasm for the deal, stating: "Fin brings proven agent technology, a deep commitment to customer success, and an incredible AI team that will complement Agentforce with powerful service agent capabilities. Together, we'll help companies of every size seize this opportunity — accelerating time to value with trusted agents that deliver measurable outcomes at scale."

## Leadership Continuity After the Deal Closes

Fin co-founder and CEO Eoghan McCabe took to X to reassure customers that day-to-day operations would remain largely unchanged following the acquisition. He highlighted recent milestones, including the launch of the company's proprietary AI model, Apex, and its internal agent platform, Operator, while emphasizing that Salesforce's backing would only accelerate future development.

"I'll still be CEO, Des will still be running R&D, we'll both still be committed to continuing to lead this category," McCabe wrote, offering a vote of confidence to existing users and partners.

## Deal Timeline and Financial Details

The transaction is anticipated to close during the fourth quarter of Salesforce's fiscal year 2027. Due to the company's unique financial reporting structure, this period actually falls within the opening months of the calendar year 2027. Once finalized, the acquisition will formally unite two of the most recognized names in enterprise AI and customer engagement technology.

## A Strategic Bet on the Future of AI-Driven Customer Service

This acquisition underscores a broader industry trend: enterprise software giants are aggressively investing in AI to automate and elevate customer interactions. By folding Fin's capabilities into its ecosystem, Salesforce is positioning itself to offer businesses a more comprehensive, scalable, and intelligent approach to customer service — one powered by agents that can act, learn, and deliver measurable results.

Salesforce announces a $3.6 billion acquisition of AI customer service platform Fin to enhance its Agentforce enterprise platform with advanced AI agent capabil

Salesforce Acquires AI Platform Fin for $3.6 Billion

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Salesforce Strikes $3.6 Billion Deal to Acquire AI Customer Service Platform Fin

## Gay OnlyFans Creators Hit by Coordinated Crypto Extortion Scheme on X

For Patrick Bewley, known online as Daddy Patrick, X was a career-defining platform. After entering the adult content industry at 60 years old, the gay OnlyFans creator had built an impressive following of 132,000 users in less than two years — a milestone that carried real professional weight in the adult entertainment world. Then, in April, everything changed.

His feed, once filled with adult content and lifestyle posts, was suddenly broadcasting pro-Trump political messaging — things like proclamations about American oil dominance and imagery of Donald Trump labeled "STILL YOUR PRESIDENT." Bewley hadn't written a single word of it. His account had been stolen.

## A Convincing Phishing Attack Opens the Door

The breach began on April 9, when Bewley received a direct message on X that appeared to come from a colleague — porn director and editor Jasun Mark. The message invited Bewley to nominate Mark for an industry award, a request that seemed entirely plausible. Bewley clicked the embedded link, which redirected him to what looked like an X login page. He entered his credentials, noticed nothing seemed to process, and moved on with his day.

It was a classic phishing trap. By the time Mark reached out to inform Bewley that he had never sent that message — his own account had already been compromised — the damage was done. Bewley's account had been taken over, with the attacker swapping out his registered name, phone number, and email address. His handle was first changed to @DADDYPATRIOzvu, then altered again the following day to @Fatherokdwcjo63.

## Extortion Demands and Political Hijacking

When Bewley's partner Jerry Burt reported the hack from his personal account, the hijacker responded by transforming Bewley's stolen profile into a hub for far-right content. The account's banner and avatar were replaced with a stark black-and-white image of Steve Bannon promoting WarRoom.org, his political podcast platform. The profile's link tree was updated to direct visitors to Bannon's TikTok, Telegram, merchandise store, and official website.

A week after the initial attack, the hijacker posted a Trump image with a political caption and responded to Burt's public pleas for help with a blunt demand: pay up, or lose the account for good. The ransom? $2,000 worth of GAT cryptocurrency.

When Bewley declined, the attacker escalated — contacting his employer, Ducati Studios Network, a gay adult film production company where Bewley recently became Chief Marketing Officer, and demanding $3,000 in crypto.

After nearly two weeks of exchanges, Burt stopped responding. The hijacked account then shifted into what he described as a relentless propaganda machine, reposting between 20 and 30 pieces of far-right political content daily from accounts like @MAGAVoice, which identifies itself as pro-Elon Musk and dedicated to "taking back OUR country."

## The Real-World Cost of Losing a High-Value Account

For adult content creators, follower count is more than vanity — it directly influences professional opportunities and perceived credibility. Bewley explained that surpassing 100,000 followers on X functions almost like a professional ranking within the industry, determining which collaborators and studios are willing to work with you.

"In a way, it dictates who will want to work with you," Bewley told WIRED. "It is the one platform people look at as the measure of where your standing is. And everybody wants to work with you if you have over 100,000 followers. You have automatic credibility."

He filed a police report in Palm Springs, where he resides, and submitted a complaint to the FBI. Despite holding a verified, paid X account, Bewley received no meaningful assistance from the platform. X reportedly told him they could not verify that he was the account's legitimate owner. WIRED's request for comment to X went unanswered.

## Other Creators Caught in the Same Net

Bewley was far from the only target. On April 12, OnlyFans and JustForFans creator Fabian Quezada — who performs as Buck Bronco — discovered he had been locked out of his account and received a threatening message via WhatsApp demanding payment. Quezada refused to engage with the extortion attempt and never inquired about the ransom amount, reasoning that any further interaction could expose him to additional financial risk. As a precaution, he replaced all of his bank cards and credit cards.

Liam Angell, founder of Musclebearporn.com, and Jasun Mark both had their accounts compromised around the same period, though both were eventually able to regain access. Mark lost control of his account for an entire month during which the hijacker used it to broadcast cryptocurrency-related posts to his 68,000 followers. Despite the experience, Mark admitted he still had not activated two-factor authentication on his account.

In May, a Chicago-based creator named Gray Dickson posted a public appeal for help after repeatedly losing control of his account to phishing attacks, noting that the intrusions persisted even after he changed his password and revoked third-party app access.

## Timing Raises Suspicions

The wave of attacks coincided with a platform-wide cleanup that X conducted in April, targeting fake, inactive, and spam accounts for bulk removal. That purge also swept up legitimate human-run alternate accounts, including many used within adult content communities. Bewley noted the suspicious timing, suggesting the cleanup may have given cybercriminals additional cover while also serving X's broader interest in removing adult content accounts.

## Why MAGA Content Was Weaponized Against Gay Creators

For Bewley, the deliberate injection of far-right political content into a gay adult creator's account was not random — it was strategic and malicious. He views any association with MAGA ideology as professionally and personally devastating for someone in his position.

"Being associated with MAGA as a gay content creator is like saying you're a Nazi," Bewley said. "It's a no-go territory. There's no middle road." He believes the attacker chose this content precisely because it would cause maximum distress and push him toward paying the ransom more quickly.

By May, all posts had been scrubbed from the account's feed and it went dormant. The only remnants are the follower count Bewley had spent two years building and the link tree pointing to Steve Bannon's platforms.

## Cybersecurity Experts Warn of a Larger Threat

Rachel Tobac, CEO of data protection firm SocialProof Security, sees these incidents as part of a growing and potentially more dangerous trend. With midterm elections approaching, she believes cybercriminals — likely now using artificial intelligence to scale their operations — may be deliberately targeting communities that lean away from right-wing politics.

"If I were a cybercriminal, and I also know that the right wing often has trouble with certain demographics, I am going to target accounts that they have trouble motivating," Tobac explained. "I would use AI to determine who has a large network and following within those groups, take over those accounts with phishing, extort them, and if the extortion stops working, I'll just stay dormant until it's election season."

She added that stolen accounts could be quietly absorbed into private networks operated by right-wing consulting organizations and activated for compensated political posting at strategically timed moments.

## Starting Over From Scratch

Bewley has launched a new X account, which has already accumulated over 9,000 followers. He remains committed to rebuilding his presence, even as he acknowledges the steep uphill climb ahead.

"It's like building a sand castle against the tide," he said.

For creators navigating an increasingly hostile digital landscape, the message from cybersecurity professionals is straightforward: enable two-factor authentication immediately, scrutinize every link before clicking — even from trusted contacts — and never assume a familiar name in your inbox means a safe message on the other end.

Gay OnlyFans creators on X face crypto extortion and MAGA propaganda after phishing attacks hijack their accounts. Here's what happened and what experts warn.