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Hello fellow citizens of the internet! Andrew here. Welcome to today’s edition of web_crawlr.
We’ve got a lot for you today including: a break down of TikTokers latest obsession, reactions to Biden’s student loan forgiveness, a look at the criticism of Amazon’s employee virtual pets, and Meta reaching a location data settlement.
Plus, our Senior Culture Editor Tiffany has her weekly “This Week On The Internet” column and her pick for meme of the week.
Let’s get to it! See you tomorrow!
— A.W.
⚡ Today’s top stories
TikTokers have a new obsession—and they’re making techno mashups about it
Who knew that European drugstores went so hard?
Student loan sites crash after Biden’s announcement
Nelnet and the Department of Education websites were both flooded with users attempting to check their loan status.
Amazon worker says he wants to quit but doesn’t want to abandon his virtual pets, sparking debate
An Amazon worker says he is considering quitting his job, but he doesn’t want to leave behind his virtual pets. Among the reactions the viral video? “Amazon will give their workers a virtual pet before they give them a restroom break.”
Meta reaches $37.5 Million settlement for illegally using location data to serve ads
The class action lawsuit alleged that Facebook farmed user location data even if users told it not to.
▶️ Still watching
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🗣️ This Week On The Internet
The LinkedInification of Twitter isn’t going well
In each edition of web_crawlr we have exclusive original content every day. On Fridays our Senior Culture Editor Tiffany Kelly recaps the most pressing online discourse of the week in her “This Week On The Internet” 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 DoorDash driver is using TikTok to explain how he decides which food orders to deliver and which ones to decline.
🕵️♀️ In a viral video, a woman detailed the step-by-step method she used to figure out which one of her contacts left her a hate comment from an anonymous account.
🛒 A TikToker sparked controversy after filming a tired grocery store worker appearing to fall asleep at the register, claiming she was fired shortly after.
🌯 Here’s a viral Chipotle “hack” that claims to ensure you get double meat when you order.
🎤 Harry Styles is under fire for his comments about gay sex scenes.
✈️ Ready to end your toxic relationship with Airbnb? Here are three alternatives that will treat you the way you deserve.*
🏳️🌈 Here is how a Sims 2 fan forum became anunwitting safe space for queer creatives.
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📅 Meme of the Week
A meme for very online people who like to read Joan Didion.
🎶 Now Playing: “Clouds Up” by Air 🎶