mikael-thalen

Mikael Thalen


Mikael Thalen is a tech and security reporter covering social media, data breaches, hackers, and more.

electrical transmission towers with sunset

EXCLUSIVE: ‘Release our men’: Far-right used power grid threats to try and blackmail government into freeing neo-Nazi bank robbery suspects

The threat was picked up by the Department of Homeland Security.

On Aug 9, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Robert E Lee horse plaque reading 'The last home of Traveller through war and peace the faithful, devoted and beloved horse of General Robert E Lee placed by the Virginia division'

‘Untreatable tetanus, untreatable cancel culture’: Conservatives say Robert E. Lee’s horse has now died a second ignominious death

Markers dedicated to Traveller, the horse of Robert E. Lee, have been removed at a university.

On Aug 8, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

man using laptop for video call

Zoom forced to walk back AI data training plan after user outrage

The company quietly changed its Terms of Service in March to begin using consumer data to train AI.

On Aug 8, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Barack Obama in front of American Flag background (l) Tafari Campbell speaking in front of doorway (r)

Conspiracy theorists think Obama murdered his personal chef

None of the claims being made are backed up by any evidence.

On Aug 8, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Elon Musk

‘Trying to find a way out’: Musk claims he now can’t schedule Zuckerberg fight because he ‘may require surgery’

'I'm getting an MRI of my neck & upper back tomorrow.'

On Aug 7, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Homepage article image

Alabama riverboat brawl videos keep getting set to Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in a Small Town’

The controversial country song has been repurposed to mock the attackers.

On Aug 7, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican of Kentucky) speaks with reporters in his office in the US Capitol.

‘Retire’: Mitch McConnell’s constituents drowned out his speech with vociferous demand he step down

McConnell hinted to the crowd that he had no plans to leave politics anytime soon.

On Aug 7, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

grey computer keyboard with XXX red button replacing enter button

Adult entertainers suit against Utah’s porn age verification law tossed

A judge did not buy their argument.

On Aug 2, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Flipper portable multi-tool device with circuits around on grey surface

EXCLUSIVE: Hacking tool Flipper Zero tracked by intelligence agencies, which fear white nationalists may deploy it against power grid

'Racially and ethnically motivated violent extremists may seek to exploit the hacking capabilities of a new cyber penetration tester.'

On Aug 2, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

co-conspirator 6

Mike Roman, facing speculation he’s ‘co-conspirator 6’ in Trump indictment, trolls accusers with jersey post

It's an interesting post.

On Aug 2, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Christina Pushaw speaking into microphone while sitting in chair

Christina Pushaw faces heated criticism for involvement in secretive DeSantis’ chat room where Nazi video was made

The campaign created videos with far-right imagery and laundered them through anonymous Twitter accounts.

On Aug 1, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

A phone with an email icon floating above it. The Your Password Sucks column logo is in the top right corner.

Y0ur P@ssw0rd S*cks: Is there a safe email app?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to safety.

On Aug 1, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Hack of far-right social media site

Data leak from far-right forum Poast reveals daycare owner with Nazi avatar

Current and former employees from Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Tesla are present.

On Jul 31, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Nancy Mace speaking into microphone in front of purple background

‘From her NOT husband’: Nancy Mace kicked off a prayer breakfast by talking about skipping morning sex—and her base is furious

'Why is (unmarried) Rep. Nancy Mace talking about her sex life at a prayer breakfast?'

On Jul 27, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Dom Lucre speaking (l) Twitter bird centered on 2 panel split (c) Elon Musk speaking (r)

Why did the far-right rally around an account suspended for posting child sex abuse material?

'For now, we will delete those posts and reinstate the account,' Musk said.

On Jul 27, 2023 by Mikael Thalen