danlatu

Dan Latu


Dan Latu is a freelance journalist writing about the internet and culture. Previously, his work has appeared in the Real Deal and Columbia News Service.

two women one on the others back caption "and eventually we admitted our feelings for eachother" (l) women in group sorority sisters caption "i matched w my sorority sister on tinder when I was closeted..." (c) two women one on the others back outside caption "we've been dating for 2 years now" (r)

‘Coming out is scary, but it’s worth it’: 2 sorority sisters fell in love, and inspired others to come out as openly queer

'I fell for my little before I even realized I was gay. We dated for 4 years.'

On May 15, 2022 by Dan Latu

IRL
Ice-cream shop blurred background tweet by Lindsay Fogarty "A grown adult man who owns an ice cream shop in Tennessee made my 10 year old autistic son cry because he wouldn't sell us ice cream because we wouldn't take our masks off. We have a rare disease, and our immune compromised."

‘I don’t have words right now’: An ice cream shop reportedly turned away a disabled customer and her son when they refused to take off their masks

The ice cream shop has reportedly made anti-masking posts in the past.

On May 15, 2022 by Dan Latu

IRL
Pinterest app from appstore on phone on wooden table

‘I’m sickened’: A woman allegedly found child exploitation images on Pinterest and parents are terrified

'This is very, very common among all social media.'

On May 8, 2022 by Dan Latu

Tech
website for women captions "Share your story, change the story" "we are data activists compiling a dataset about gender-based violence." with people drawn on the bottom (l) woman walking outside caption "Getting followed and catcalled by a group of men on the way home from Mother's Day" (c) Website screen "Where were you? I was... at home, at schppl/uni, at my workplace, riding, in transit, walking (selected), in a public space, at someone's house other next" (r)

An Australian startup wants to protect women from catcalling and harassment, and TikTokers love the idea

'You have no idea I’ve been searching on how to tell other women.'

On May 8, 2022 by Dan Latu

Tech
Doordash notification with doordash logo above caption "Are you sure you want to decline this order? After declining 6% Keep your acceptance rate above 70% to maintain Top Dasher status" (l) Woman in car mouth open caption "oh no..." (r)

‘Just raise the base!’: A Doordasher took to TikTok to show how they penalize drivers for not taking orders rather than raising their pay

'Sounds like they are listening to customers.'

On Apr 24, 2022 by Dan Latu

Internet Culture IRL
Home Depot checkout area woman on floor dogs barking people surrounding caption "Dog fights at Home Depot, lady is pissed her dog lost." (l) Women holding small white dog walking away caption "Dog fights at Home Depot, lady is pissed her dog lost>" (c) woman getting help up off of floor by group of people caption "Dog fights in Home Depot. lady is mad her dog lost." (r)

‘No dogs should be allowed in stores’: 2 dogs start fighting at Home Depot, sparking debate

'Why are dogs in the store in the first place?'

On Apr 24, 2022 by Dan Latu

IRL
bus with mountains in background and caption "Revolve X Fyre Fest teatime to come" (l) people crowding to get on bus (r)

‘Influencer hunger games’: Revolve Festival, attended by Kim Kardashian, draws Fyre Fest comparisons in viral TikTok

'Why do I have secondhand anxiety?'

On Apr 18, 2022 by Dan Latu

Internet Culture
Women chest and arm covered in bites caption "when it's spring break and you get bit the blank up by bed bugs at one of the best hotels in town" (l) Man with flashlight looking at bedbugs on mattress (r)

TikToker spent her spring break at a highly reviewed hotel, only to end up covered in bedbug bites

The CDC says bedbugs are not sole indicators of cleanliness.

On Apr 17, 2022 by Dan Latu

IRL
TikTok logo

Former TikTok employees speak out against the global social media company’s stressful work culture (updated)

'A high level of personal sacrifice is required to work at TikTok.'

On Apr 12, 2022 by Dan Latu

Internet Culture Tech

TikToker allegedly catches DoorDasher fake a drop off picture and steal her food

'She looked right in the camera too.'

On Apr 10, 2022 by Dan Latu

IRL
Man looking through window hand up to glass wearing all black (l) Woman shocked expression (r)

Tiktoker catches peeping Tom staring at her kids, sparking a safety conversation on the platform

'You're telling me a stranger is looking through a child's window at night and nothing can be done?'

On Apr 10, 2022 by Dan Latu

IRL
Woman green screen video over computer receipt showing incorrect math (l) Woman annoyed expression (c) Woman over green screen tiktok of another wrong receipt (r)

TikToker urges customers to ‘check receipts’ after restaurant pay machines show alleged inaccuracies

'Class action lawsuits need to happen quickly.'

On Apr 3, 2022 by Dan Latu

IRL
Gray car in garage (l) Police siren lights (c) Same car with police writing on it (r)

‘Aren’t we supposed to be able to see them easily?’: TikToker shows ‘ghost’ cop car, sparking debate

'I don't understand how this is not entrapment.'

On Mar 27, 2022 by Dan Latu

IRL Tech
For Ukraine 24 hour stair walk support a no fly zone over Ukraine poster woman made(l) Woman on stairmaster at gym caption "24 hour on stairmaster for Ukraine follow for updates! LETS GOO" (r)

TikToker holds 24-hour stair climbing marathon to petition for a no-fly zone over Ukraine, sparking debate

'How is this gonna help Ukraine?'

On Mar 27, 2022 by Dan Latu

Tech
doordash logo on phone on red background (l) Chick-Fil-A food seen with ashes all over them in bag caption " Door dash really emptied their ash tray in my food and ate half of it cause I didn't tip wtf" (r)

‘Was it illegal? Yes. Did you deserve it? Also yes’: TikToker says Chick-fil-A DoorDash order was destroyed after they didn’t leave tip, sparking debate

'Really emptied their ash tray in my food and ate half of it.'

On Mar 20, 2022 by Dan Latu

Tech