Newsletter: Cheating boyfriend exposed by iPhone upgrade

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Hello fellow web crawlers! Andrew here. Welcome to today’s edition of web_crawlr. 

Our top stories today are about: A woman discovering her boyfriend was cheating on her after he bought a new iPhone, Diet Coke drinkers threatening chaos if RFK takes away their favorite drink, conspiracy theorists desperately trying to come up with reasons why Bluesky has exploded in popularity, and why Apple might owe you money. 

After that, our Assistant Newsletter Editor Kira has a “Decoding Fandom” column for you. 

See you tomorrow! 

— A.W. 

Today in Internet Culture

INTERNET ERA DATING
‘He wasted 8 years of my life’: Woman doesn’t suspect her boyfriend is cheating. Then he buys a new iPhone

In a viral video, a woman recounts the tale of someone who discovered her boyfriend of eight years was cheating on her—all thanks to a bizarre series of text exchanges.

➤READ MORE

VIRAL POLITICS
‘Come and take it’: Diet Coke drinkers are threatening to go Jan. 6 on RFK Jr.’s HHS

“if RFK bans diet coke, i will make jan 6 look like a girl scout meeting,” quipped one person.

➤READ MORE

CONSPIRACY
Conspiracy theorists scramble to find ‘reasons’ why Bluesky exploded in popularity with liberals

In posts all across X in recent days, far-right users have conjured up conspiracy theories that suggest Bluesky is somehow involved in widespread child abuse.

➤READ MORE

TECH
Expert says your Apple AirPods were sold to you with false advertising. You may be entitled to money

If you have the first-generation AirPod Pros, you may be entitled to compensation from Apple. According to a lawyer, here’s what you need to know.

➤READ MORE

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By Kira Deshler
Assistant Newsletter Editor

Martin Scorsese and Nicole Kidman fans butt heads over women in film comments

In each edition of web_crawlr we have exclusive original content every day. On Wednesdays our Assistant Newsletter Editor Kira Deshler dives deep into the world of fan culture in her “Decoding Fandom” 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 your inbox.

Crawling the Web

Here is what else is happening across the ‘net.

This bartender had a shocking reaction when a female patron alerted him about a person potentially trying to drug her.

A classic TikTok audio that takes place in a Taco Bell drive-thru is making an impression once again.

The Matthew McConaughey Smoking meme is all of us, on the internet, at any given point.

This woman’s card kept declining at a clothing store. It turns out the reason may be cryptically connected to the Russia-Ukraine war. 

A U-Haul customer was livid after he alleged a worker’s decision could’ve cost him his life.

Question of the Day

Everyone’s got opinions, and we want to know yours. Just click a button below to answer the question, and tomorrow we will let you know how fellow web crawlers like you answered. 

DO YOU USE AIRPODS?

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Today’s Viral Video

Here’s Barry Keoghan on the power of staring into Cillian Murphy’s eyes. 

Now Playing: “Crystal” by Stevie Nicks