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Hello fellow citizens of the internet! Andrew here. Welcome to today’s edition of web_crawlr.
You are one step closer to the weekend! Today’s top stories include an update on an ill-fated QAnon candidate’s campaign in Arizona, a look at Alex Jones’ trial, a deep dive into how Netflix is facing backlash, and a report on a viral video that flags the biggest cybersecurity mistakes people make online. Do you make any of those mistakes?
After that, we’ve got our weekly “Dirty Delete” column from our Politics Reporter Claire.
Let’s get into it all. See you tomorrow!
— A.W.
⚡ Today’s top stories
QAnon’s Ron Watkins finishes last in Arizona primary race
Ron Watkins, the man suspected by many of being behind the QAnon conspiracy theory, has lost his primary race for Congress in Arizona.
Alex Jones’ legal team accidentally sent Sandy Hook parents his phone records—including texts he claimed didn’t exist
Alex Jones looked stunned by the news.
A cybersecurity expert on TikTok flagged the biggest mistakes average people make online
The TikToker offers advice on preserving data, protecting passwords, and where security cameras should and shouldn’t be.
Netflix sparks backlash after canceling lesbian vampire show ‘First Kill’
‘First Kill‘ fans are pointing out that it had higher ratings than ‘Heartstopper,’ which was renewed for a second season.
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🗳️ Dirty Delete
Kevin McCarthy is the contortionist in Congress
In each edition of web_crawlr we have exclusive original content every day. On Thursdays our Politics Reporter Claire Goforth goes deep on the social media history of politicians in her “Dirty Delete” column. If you want to read columns like this before everyone else, subscribe to web_crawlr to get your daily scoop of internet culture delivered straight to you inbox.
🕸️ Crawling the web
Here is what else is happening across the ‘net.
📷 A mother posted a now-viral video where she recorded a man while shopping at Target who she claims was taking pictures of teenage girls.
📚 If you found a collection of human hair inside an antique book, would you be freaked out? Or would you shrug it off as another cool discovery?
⛽ We all know gas prices are high. But one video of a gas pump meter still running while no fuel was coming out has a lot of people upset.
🛒 One Walmart worker on TikTok has a public service announcement to customers who spot employees in the store attempting to fulfill customer orders.
🤯 This twisted collection of microgames for Nintendo Switch is the must-have WTF party game on the console.*
👀 A viral video shows a woman claiming that a department store put fake Kate Spade stickers on items to increase the value of the products.
🚗 A woman shared what it’s like to deal with customers while working at a car dealership.
🥝 Whether you’re into wired or wireless, prioritize sound or comfort, we’ve looked at some of the best headsets for streamers. If you want more stories like this, subscribe to the Passionfruit newsletter.
✏️ Here’s the wild history of fanfic censorship.
*The Daily Dot may receive a commission in connection with purchases of products or services featured here.
👋 Before you go
A tweet has gone viral that shows two screenshots of messages between a woman and her boss at Starbucks with the caption: “That time my boss asked me if I could change the day I put my dog to sleep for @Starbucks.” The tweet sparked people to share their own stories of jobs that were not understanding of the time they needed to grieve the loss of a loved one.
🎶 Now Playing: “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown 🎶