#secret face image database

[mudwerks]

(via Vending machine error reveals secret face image database of college students | Ars Technica)

Canada-based University of Waterloo is racing to remove M&M-branded smart vending machines from campus after outraged students discovered the machines were covertly collecting facial-recognition data without their consent.

The scandal started when a student using the alias SquidKid47 posted an image on Reddit showing a campus vending machine error message, "Invenda.Vending.FacialRecognitionApp.exe," displayed after the machine failed to launch a facial recognition application that nobody expected to be part of the process of using a vending machine.

"Hey, so why do the stupid M&M machines have facial recognition?" SquidKid47 pondered.

The Reddit post sparked an investigation from a fourth-year student named River Stanley, who was writing for a university publication called MathNEWS.

Stanley sounded alarm after consulting Invenda sales brochures that promised "the machines are capable of sending estimated ages and genders" of every person who used the machines without ever requesting consent.

This frustrated Stanley, who discovered that Canada's privacy commissioner had years ago investigated a shopping mall operator called Cadillac Fairview after discovering some of the malls' informational kiosks were secretly "using facial recognition software on unsuspecting patrons."

Only because of that official investigation did Canadians learn that "over 5 million nonconsenting Canadians" were scanned into Cadillac Fairview's database, Stanley reported. Where Cadillac Fairview was ultimately forced to delete the entire database, Stanley wrote that consequences for collecting similarly sensitive facial recognition data without consent for Invenda clients like Mars remain unclear.

Stanley's report ended with a call for students to demand that the university "bar facial recognition vending machines from campus."

what the motherfuck

[roosterforme]

Always Ever Only You Part 34 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: Without you at home, Bradley's big mouth is about to get him in trouble. As he counts down the hours until he can pick you up from the airport, you wrap up your trip to Maryland with a visit to your childhood home. However, you're not as smooth as you think you are. By the time you get back to San Diego, you are an absolute train wreck, and some secrets have been revealed.

Warnings: Swearing, pregnancy topics, angst, fluff

Length: 4500 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

This was written to accompany my series Is It Working For You? along with a bunch of my one-shots and other series, but it can be read on its own! Check my masterlist for the reading order. Always Ever Only You masterlist. Gorgeous banner by @mak-32

On Thursday morning, Bradley got to work a little bit early. He just needed to make a tiny detour to one of the database computers. He really wasn't sure if you realized that you told him Commander Patterson's first name last night, or if you let it slip by accident, but now that he knew it, he just wanted to check him out.

Every trip you took to Annapolis turned into some sort of disaster at one point or another. He couldn't imagine you were out there looking for trouble, but it sure did find you in the form of Derek or Josh. You were the most capable person Bradley knew, but he loved and respected you enough to know that sometimes you needed a break. Right now, he just wanted to bring you back home and take care of every tiny need or want that you or the baby might have. He'd honestly fucking delight in that.

As soon as he logged into the system, Bradley typed in your full name, complete with Bradshaw hyphenated at the end. A second later, your image appeared on the screen complete with lovely smile and gorgeous eyes. "That's my Baby Girl," he muttered, still captivated by this photo of you. 

He forced his fingers back to the keyboard, but no results appeared when he looked for Derrick Patterson. He tried Paterson. Then he tried Derick. Then he tried Derek Patterson and saw the face of the asshole who made his wife cry over a steak dinner. Were you more emotional right now than perhaps you would usually be? Absolutely. But that was only because you were pregnant. As soon as you told him you had a positive pregnancy test, Bradley's number one concern in this world simply switched from his wife to his wife and his child. 

This guy looked like a real tool. Forty-four years old. Ranked up to Commander two years ago. Worked in a simulation lab. Had the same degrees from the Naval Academy that you earned. "Yeah, well I can guarantee you're not as smart as her, you motherfucker."

He took another minute to memorize what he saw there before logging out. Maybe he'd ask Maverick about him. Cyclone and Warlock would be good resources, too. Bradley just hated that he wasn't able to make you feel safe and comfortable at the moment, but as soon as he picked you up tomorrow, he'd take care of everything. 

When he started to head out to the tarmac, he literally ran into someone while he was adding steaks to the grocery list he saved in his phone. He didn't know how to cook a steak, but he'd get them just in case you were still in the mood for one. "Sorry," he muttered, not really looking up, too concerned with what else you might want.

"It's okay, Bradley."

Then he did look up into the dark eyes of Maria Wilson. "Hey," he said with a smile at your good friend. "I've been meaning to ask you... how's rooming with Bob going for you?"

"Great," she replied with a little shrug and a completely neutral expression. "He's clean and courteous, and I think the arrangement is going to work out really well." 

If he didn't know better, Bradley would have believed nothing was going on. She was that good. But he did know better. He wasn't going to do Bob dirty, so he just nodded and said, "I hope it does work out. I've always felt a little bad about stealing my wife away from you."

She just laughed and said, "Like we didn't all see that coming a mile away."

He wandered off with a grin on his face after he said goodbye. He was planning on making a few stops on the way home before Jake showed up to workout together later. Bradley just had to get through one more night and then you'd be back.

----------------------------

You were an idiot for eating two steaks and seventeen pounds of sides and then passing out for the night. Sure, at the time, it seemed like the best idea you'd ever had. Derek's porterhouse hit the fucking spot like nothing else. The potatoes were creamy and delectable. The brussels sprouts? A thing of beauty.

But Thursday morning, you were back to your normal routine of throwing up as soon as you got out of bed. "I get it, okay?" you gasped as you sprawled out on the bathroom floor. "I understand," you added, letting your hand settle on your belly. "You miss your Dad. Well guess what. I miss him, too. Now will you stop acting out if I promise to take you home tomorrow?"

A soft gurgle as your stomach started to settle was the response you got, and that was actually better than you could have hoped for. When you heard tapping on your hotel room door, you knew it was Cat, and you wanted to cry. You were wearing Bradley's UVA shirt and a pair of your ratty underwear and nothing else, and she'd just keep knocking until you answered. 

"I'm coming," you moaned, actually crawling most of the way there. You pulled yourself up and then cracked the door open a few inches, and you were met with Cat's appraising eyes. "Hi."

"I just wanted to know if you wanted to get breakfast with me," she said cautiously.

"No, I'm good, but thanks for asking." You tried to close the door, but her foot was immediately preventing that. 

"Are you sick?" she asked. "I can bring something back for you."

"No, I'm okay," you told her. Your stomach lurched, and your eyes went wide. You had about ten seconds to get rid of her and make it to the toilet. You didn't know what to do as saliva pooled at the back of your tongue. You started to gag as your eyes filled with tears. 

"Hey," she said softly. "If something's wrong, you can tell me."

But you shook your head and let go of the door, making a mad dash back into the bathroom. You barely made it to your knees in front of the toilet before you barfed again. "Why?" you moaned, wiping your mouth with toilet paper before rolling onto the bath mat which had become your best friend.

"Oh my god," Cat muttered as she walked right into your hotel room bathroom. She flushed the toilet and then turned to the sink and started to fill one of the disposable cups with water. "You're pregnant," she stated plainly. "You could have told me, you know. Congratulations, by the way."

As she knelt on the floor next to you, she helped you sit up. You accepted the cup from her and said, "It's just food poisoning." She blinked at you a few times, giving you no wiggle room to lie to her. "Fine," you admitted with a little smile, "I'm pregnant."

She ran the backs of her fingers along your forehead while you sipped the water. "How far along are you?"

"About nine or ten weeks," you whispered as you closed your eyes for a few beats. "I'm just really tired and really fucking sick. I felt good last night, but now I feel terrible again."

Cat took the empty cup from your hand and wrapped you up in a soft hug. "Thank you for holding it together for the presentation. Now you need to get back into bed."

You shook your head and said, "I need to get up and moving so I can go see my parents later."

"No," she said firmly, guiding you back to the bed. "You need to rest right now. You'll feel better if you do." 

Part of you wanted to make sure your suitcase was closed so she didn't see your vibrators, but mostly you didn't even care. She had a certain way about her that was calming you down, and as soon as you were in the bed, she tucked you in. You almost believed her when she told you that resting would help you feel better. 

"Where's your room key?" she asked once you were curled up on your side.

You let one hand sneak out from under the covers and pointed. "Next to the TV."

She patted your shoulder and promised she would be back soon, and then she was gone. You dozed on and off while your stomach gurgled, and you missed a few texts from Bradley. When Cat eventually opened your door and let herself in, you were actually feeling hungry. And that's when you noticed two bags and a cup carrier in her hands. 

Quietly, she set everything down on your nightstand including some orange juice that almost brought a tear to your eye. Somehow she knew that was what you needed when you didn't even know yourself. You sat up as she poked a hole in the lid and handed it to you, and you drank half of it down in one sip.

"You need to eat something," she whispered, taking the cup away again. "I got you a bagel with cream cheese, an egg sandwich, a few different kinds of donuts and a muffin."

You reached for the bagel, and she unwrapped it for you. "I'll pay you back," you rasped, but she shook her head.

"Don't worry about it. Just make the baby happy, and we're square," she replied as she sank down into the chair beside the bed.

But you were definitely going to worry about it. Money was very tight for Cat and Jeremiah, so you would have to figure out a way to make it even. She probably spent about forty bucks on all of this for you, and somehow she knew that a sesame seed bagel with cream cheese would go down as happily as the steaks did. You devoured the whole thing and then took some bites out of the egg and cheese sandwich before finishing the orange juice. 

Then you drank some of the hot tea as well and nibbled on a muffin, and you felt so much better. Cat asked you a few questions, but she didn't pry. "Bradley must be over the moon," she said softly with a sad smile. 

"Oh yeah," you told her, knowing that her ex-husband did not have a relationship with Jeremiah. "He dubbed the baby the chicken nugget." When she laughed, you added, "He's very excited to be a dad."

"He'll be a good one," she confirmed with a nod. "Now why don't you rest for a few more hours, and then I can drop you off at your parents' house so you don't have to drive."

"You don't have to do that."

"I'll drop you off and then go to the outlet mall. There are some things I want to get for Jer, and then I can pick you up again." She probably knew it wasn't a good idea to let you drive like this, and you were honestly kind of thankful that she offered.

"Alright." You fell asleep again as soon as she was gone.

--------------------------

When Bradley left work, it was blazing hot out, and he had his aviators on while he walked to the parking garage. It was already late as hell in Maryland, and he was a little afraid you had already left your parents and gone back to the hotel for the night. But your phone only rang briefly before you answered his FaceTime call.

"Bradley," you sighed, looking better than he'd seen you in weeks. "Here, say hi to everyone."

You turned your phone to reveal both of your parents along with Cat, sitting around the dining room table in the house where he was finally getting used to spending his holidays. They all greeted him warmly before your mom took the phone and asked him at least a dozen questions.

"Are you eating enough without her at home? How's work? How's Tramp? When can we come visit again, because she's not giving us a clear answer?"

She said nothing about the baby, so Bradley assumed you were holding yourself together well enough that it hadn't been mentioned. "I've been subsiding on cereal. Work is great. Tramp is great. I've been thinking about starting a project to expand the upstairs into another bedroom or two, so hopefully after that's finished, you and dad can stay as long as you want."

Bradley knew they would feel like a handful for him if they stayed at the house again, but that was only because he liked being alone with you. He really wanted to take a minute to talk to you privately, but your dad took the phone next so he could show off his latest painting project. When he finally got handed back to you, apparently it was time for you and Cat to head out. 

"I'll let you know when the flight leaves tomorrow," you told him. "Love you, Roo."

And that was it. With a deep sigh, he started up the red Bronco and headed to the store on his way home. He hated shopping in his uniform; he always got a bunch of looks from people, mostly women. He tried to make it quick, but it took him a little time to gather up steaks, potatoes, garlic, your favorite coffee, and all of the yellow flowers in the floral section. 

He barely had all of the food put away at home when Jake knocked twice on the front door before letting himself in the house. "It's like he fucking lives here," Bradley muttered to Tramp who had been waiting for his scoop of dinner before he ran to see Jeremiah.

"Hey, man," Jake called out. He had Cat's son tucked under one arm and some weird contraption under the other, and he was wearing gym clothes. "Did you just get home?"

"Yeah," Bradley replied, unable to keep himself from smiling when Jeremiah reached out for him. He took the little boy in his arms and told him, "I had to get some stuff for my wife. You remember her. She's your favorite babysitter. She read you some books while you fell asleep, because her voice is the sweetest thing in the world."

Jake rolled his eyes. "Angel made you soft, old man."

Bradley pointed to Jeremiah. "And this little thing made you soft, so you don't have a leg to stand on."

He just kind of shrugged in response and took the child back as he said, "Go get changed. I'll meet you in the garage."

As Jake disappeared through the sliding glass door, Bradley headed to the bedroom. He stripped out of his uniform and put on some shorts and a Top Gun shirt that was starting to fit a little snug across his biceps and chest again. This was a good sign, because he wanted to bulk up as much as possible. He'd be ready to haul the baby and all of the gear around so you didn't have to. 

His thoughts were on you and the baby. You. Baby. You. Baby. He couldn't wait until both of you were home tomorrow. When he walked out to the garage, he found Jake doing a few pushups while Jeremiah played with a stuffed tiger while he sat in some sort of portable crib.

"What is that thing?" Bradley asked as he reached for his lifting gloves. "A mini crib?"

Jake jumped to his feet as he said, "It's called a pack 'n play, but yeah, it's kind of a mini crib that folds up."

"Huh," he replied, eyeing it up so he could search online for that kind of thing later. "Looks handy. We're definitely going to need one of those."

Jake was frozen in place, eyes wide and jaw hanging open. "Is Angel pregnant? I knew her ass looked bigger." A grin curled along his lips, and that was when Bradley realized he had fucked up.

"Oh, shit," he muttered as his heart rate sped up and he started to sweat. You were going to be so upset. Your own parents didn't even know yet, but now Jake did, and it was all his fault.

"She's pregnant!" Jake practically shouted. "Congratulations, Rooster," he said, pulling Bradley into a hug and slapping him on the back. "You finally figured out which hole to put it in, huh?" he asked with an absolutely obnoxious grin.

Bradley glared at him. "Seriously. Nobody else knows about this yet. She might murder me if she finds out you know."

"I won't say shit about it," Jake promised, cuffing him on the shoulder before releasing him. "Damn, she must be excited. I know you both wanted this."

"Yeah," Bradley rasped, just knowing his face must be flushed pink. He ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm so fucking happy and scared and nervous, I can barely make it through a day without her here, you know?"

Jeremiah roared and held up the tiger for Bradley. He took it and made it roar back before pretending it was kissing Jeremiah all over his face. His laugh was infectious, and it left Bradley smiling. 

"Damn," Jake drawled. "I think you're ready for the parenting thing."

"I know I am," he replied, fixing him with a serious look. "I'm ready."

Jake sighed and nodded. "But you still have a lot to learn. Do you know about outlet covers?"

Bradley's eyes went wide. "No. What are those?"

"How about white noise to help a baby sleep? Do you know what a convertible car seat is?"

"No," Bradley whispered, "No, I don't."

Jake settled back onto the bench and reached for the barbell. "Spot for me, and I'll tell you everything I've learned."

------------------------

It was finally Friday morning, and Cat was knocking on your door with another round of food and orange juice before you were even out of bed. When you let her in, she set everything up on the nightstand while you went to use the bathroom, and you were pleasantly surprised that you didn't need to throw up while you were in there.

"Eat as much as you can," she told you. "I asked them to give you a late checkout, so you can stay here until noon, and then we'll head to the airport."

"You're a saint," you told her with a mouth full of bagel. "I owe you so much money for this, you have to let me pay you back."

She just shook her head. "I'll let you babysit Jer so Jake and I can go out one night. Assuming I'm still in a relationship after we get bad to San Diego later tonight."

"You will be," you told her as you sipped the orange juice. "Jake isn't stupid." You paused before you set the juice down in favor of a donut. "Well... he's kind of stupid, but not when it comes to this."

Cat reached into the bag for another donut. "Seriously, if he and Bernie can't figure their shit out, I'll pull the plug and never look at another man again."

"Sometimes they really aren't worth the aggravation," you remarked, thinking back to every guy you dated before Bradley. "But sometimes they surprise you."

She didn't say anything else as she finished her donut. Then she let you take a nap, and when you got up and got dressed, you felt pretty amazing. Your stomach was gurgling quietly, and you looked okay enough to skip the makeup today. 

You dragged your suitcase out into the hallway and texted Bradley, letting him know you were going to be heading to the airport soon, and he responded almost immediately. 

Bradley Rooster Bradshaw <3 <3 <3: i'll meet you in baggage claim sweetheart. i can't wait to have you and the nugget back home with me

You practically moaned, and also started tearing up as Cat met you in the hallway. "When willI I be normal again?" you whispered. "All I want to do is have rough, frequent sex with my husband, but every time I think about how sweet he is, I start crying."

She laughed and said, "You won't feel normal until about six months postpartum. Just have fun running that man ragged."

You nodded and wiped at your tears. "Where's our equipment bin?"

"Already in the car."

"You weren't supposed to move it alone! It's so heavy."

"And you shouldn't be carrying anything like that at all," she scolded, pushing you gently toward the elevators. "I took care of it. I'll take care of it all day, and I'll get your suitcase when we get to the airport, too."

You sobbed the whole way down in the elevator and most of the ride to the airport. When you said thank you, Cat told you to be quiet which made you smile and also cry more. You'd get Bradley to agree to watch Jeremiah for a whole weekend. It would give the two of you some practice, and it would give Cat and Jake time alone. There was no way he was going to mess anything up.

--------------------------

Bradley parked the red Bronco at the airport with a vase of flowers in the cup holder and an ultrasound picture tucked into the visor. Your flight had been delayed a few times, and he figured you were probably starving now. He picked up the container of peanut butter crackers he prepared and started to head inside, still a little too early but with nothing better to do.

He found an empty bench, and it wasn't long before Jake came strolling in with Jeremiah in his arms. Bradley stood up, jostling the snack container as he muttered, "You're not going to say anything to her, right?"

"Relax," Jake replied as Jeremiah reached for the crackers. "I won't say a word about her being pregnant. You can count on me."

That actually made him feel a lot more nervous as he opened up the container, broke a cracker in half and handed it to Jeremiah. "Okay. Just pretend you don't know a thing about it."

He watched Jeremiah get crumbs all over Jake's shirt as Jake checked his phone. "Sure. Hey, they landed. Cat said they're walking off the plane now."

Bradley checked his phone, but there was absolutely nothing from you, which was really strange. "Huh." He stood there awkwardly as he'd been left out of the loop, handing the other half of the cracker to Jeremiah when he reached for it. 

He watched Jake typing one handed, and then he said, "Apparently there was a ton of turbulence. Angel got pretty sick." When he met Bradley's eyes, he kind of shrugged. "Sounds like she's in bad shape."

Bradley ran his fingers through his hair until it was sticking up at an odd angle. "What's that supposed to mean? How is she in bad shape?" He looked over toward the partition that blocked off the area he wouldn't be able to get past without a boarding pass while he started to panic. Was he going to have to take you to the hospital or something? The cereal and potato chips he had for dinner started to sour in his stomach as he started walking in that direction. 

Then he saw you, and he started running. Cat had her arm around you, and she was carrying your tote bag along with her backpack while you sipped a can of ginger ale through a straw. Bradley could see fresh tears in your eyes as they met his. "Oh, Sweetheart."

"Roo," you croaked, and he closed the rest of the distance to you and carefully took you in his arms. "I was horrible."

Cat took the ginger ale from your hand, and you collapsed against him, a sobbing, shaking mess. "It's okay," he promised you. "You're home now, and I will take care of everything."

You nodded against his chest, and he let you cry. "I threw up so much. I was fine, but then it was really rough, and the baby hates me anyway." You cried harder, and then Jake was there with Jeremiah. He took the container of crackers so Bradley could rub your back with both hands. You hiccupped against him and mumbled, "You can say what you want. Cat knows. She guessed it. Then she took care of me."

Bradley wasn't surprised in the least that someone who had been pregnant before was able to tell that you were now. "Okay," he whispered, kissing the top of your head. He held you close and gave both Cat and Jake a stern look. "Do you want to go ahead and tell Jake?" he asked carefully. 

"Yeah," you groaned, leaning toward Jake slightly. "I'm pregnant."

If Jake didn't get Bradley out of this debacle safely, he was going to ban him from the home gym. But he should have known that above anything else in this scenario, Jake was going to have your back.

"Aww, Angel," he crooned as Jeremiah climbed into Cat's arms. "I'm so happy for you, mama." Then he kissed your cheek and winked at Bradley. "You'll be a natural, and ol' Rooster here's gonna be a class act. Now why don't you let him take you home? I can get the bin of your work stuff."

"You sure?" Bradley asked, giving Jake a discreet fist bump as you buried your face against his chest again. You were half burrowed inside his tropical print shirt at this point, and his undershirt was damp; he just wanted to get you home.

"We'll take care of it," Cat promised. "She's dehydrated. Make sure she drinks water or gatorade. And she needs to try to eat something." Jake handed the crackers back to Bradley. "Yeah, those might work, but she really needs to keep drinking."

"Got it," Bradley replied, kissing your forehead. "Thank you, Cat."

"It was my pleasure," she said with a smile as she cuddled Jeremiah. 

"Let's go, Baby Girl," Bradley whispered, leading you to get your suitcase as you sipped the ginger ale and nibbled on a cracker. He kept his hand at the small of your back as you sucked in deep breath after deep breath. "I'll get you home and into bed as quickly as possible."

You sniffed and looked up at him. "I just want you with me. That's all I wanted all week." 

Your lips quivered, and Bradley leaned in to kiss you as softly as he could. "That's all I wanted, too. I'm not going to leave your side." He kept you right there with him as he scooped up your luggage, and then he had his arm around you until he got you to the Bronco. With a kiss to your perfect cheek, he opened the door, helped you in, and buckled your seatbelt.

"Thanks, Roo," you sighed, eyes closed as you leaned back against the headrest, already looking more serene now that you and he were together.

"I would do anything for you." He stroked your belly with his fingertips. "Both of you."

Five minutes into the drive home, you were sound asleep, your fingers laced with his.

------------------------

I can already feel how much calmer she is just knowing she doesn't have as much to worry about with Bradley by her side. And he's going to be so much less stressed with her at home. It's looking like next chapter could be the last one in this series!!!! I'm hoping to do some one-shots for them and then pick up with another series? Please let me know what you'd like to see during and after her pregnancy. And thank you for reading! Thanks @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 35

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[cogitoergofun]

Canada-based University of Waterloo is racing to remove M&M-branded smart vending machines from campus after outraged students discovered the machines were covertly collecting facial-recognition data without their consent.

The scandal started when a student using the alias SquidKid47 posted an image on Reddit showing a campus vending machine error message, "Invenda.Vending.FacialRecognitionApp.exe," displayed after the machine failed to launch a facial recognition application that nobody expected to be part of the process of using a vending machine.

"Hey, so why do the stupid M&M machines have facial recognition?" SquidKid47 pondered.

The Reddit post sparked an investigation from a fourth-year student named River Stanley, who was writing for a university publication called MathNEWS.

Stanley sounded the alarm after consulting Invenda sales brochures that promised "the machines are capable of sending estimated ages and genders" of every person who used the machines—without ever requesting their consent.

This frustrated Stanley, who discovered that Canada's privacy commissioner had years ago investigated a shopping mall operator called Cadillac Fairview after discovering some of the malls' informational kiosks were secretly "using facial recognition software on unsuspecting patrons."

Only because of that official investigation did Canadians learn that "over 5 million nonconsenting Canadians" were scanned into Cadillac Fairview's database, Stanley reported. Where Cadillac Fairview was ultimately forced to delete the entire database, Stanley wrote that consequences for collecting similarly sensitive facial recognition data without consent for Invenda clients like Mars remain unclear.

Stanley's report ended with a call for students to demand that the university "bar facial recognition vending machines from campus."

[thegalaxysedge22]

After Ever (Chapter 3)

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pair: sylus x MC (named)

tags/tw: death/grief, the absolute pain of research, annoying MC, cannon adjacent

word count: 4.6k

song rec: bad blood by taylor swift

a/n: this is quite the lore drop

important: if you want to follow this fic and updates but don't want to follow me bc im annoying (understandable) check out the tag #after ever fanfiction also if anyone wants i can start a tag list

Work was slow yet again when Kore returned to the Hunter’s Association, leaving her with a lot of time with her thoughts. Something about the death of Dr. Higgins occuring at the same time as the death of her Grandma didn’t seem quite right. That was where her downward spiral began.

Through her clearance with the Association she was able to obtain police reports and the medical autopsy. She spent the morning meticulously going through all of it, looking for any inconsistencies that could tie the two explosions together.

Lost in thought, her eyes became unfocused from the screen, that’s when she spotted something new. On one of the police reports she had open she noticed a faint mark to the side. Zooming in on it, the writing was illegible, but it looked like something had been written in with pencil.

Despite all the advancements in technology over the recent years, the cops tended to keep things old-school, using paper copies of reports when they could and scanning them into the database once they were done. Although inefficient, their success rate showed that it seemed to work for them, so no one forced any change.

Squinting, Kore tried her best to make out the notes in the margins, but it was illegible. In a desperate attempt she took a screenshot of the paper and adjusted the contrast of the image. The markings started to become clearer and when she adjusted the sharpness of the image she could make out one word with a question mark afterwards.

Onychinus?

Hearing footsteps approaching, she took a post it note and scribbled down the word before closing the image and minimizing the reports. She quickly opened some random tab to make it look like she had been working.

Tara appeared, poaching herself on the top of Kore’s cubicle, tilting her head in curiosity. “You don’t look very well rested,” she said accusingly. Kore had forgotten her promise to her friend to rest.

“I tried my best, but it’s been difficult, I keep reliving it," Kore said, trying to deflect blame. While it wasn’t entirely a lie, she did leave out details of her rather adventurous trip. Worry plastered Tara’s face and she nodded solemnly.

“I was stopping by to see if you wanted to get some lunch,” Tara asked, changing the subject.

“I think I’ll have to pass today, I have a lot of work to get done,” Kore apologized. Tara knew damn well that that was a lie, but she didn’t push it. It was then that Captain Jenna also came over to Kore’s desk. Tara barely spared a glance at the captain, showcasing just how deep her concern went.

“Sorry to interrupt ladies, I was just wondering if I could talk to Kore for a moment,” the captain said.

“That’s alright, I was just leaving,” Tara told her, eyes still trained on her friend as she walked away.

“Kore, can I talk to you in my office please,” Captain Jenna asked. A stroke of fear overtook Kore’s expression to which she was offered a reassuring smile. “No need to worry, it isn’t anything bad.”

Kore gave her captain a brisk nod and followed her back to her office. Once the door was closed, Jenna offered her a seat while she took her place at the other side of the desk.

“I wanted to check in on you, Kore,” Captain Jenna said, folding her hands on her desk, “I know it has been hard for you recently, so I wanted to see how you are doing.”

“I am alright,” Kore said, she was in fact not alright. The Captain raised an eyebrow at this, it was clear that neither of them believed the words that just came out of Kore’s mouth. It was not a secret that she had become a husk of herself since the accident, everyone who knew her could see it and she hadn’t bothered to hide the fact either.

“I know you’re relatively new here so I wanted to inform you about some of our policies. You know that we get a lot of protections and benefits working for the government. One of those is that when a loved one dies, you are entitled to bereavement leave of up to three weeks if you need it. Now I don’t want to pressure you into doing anything but you should know that you have options, if being here is too hard for you, taking time off might be your best choice.”

“In all honesty,” Kore started, vulnerability wavering in her voice, “I think that working has helped me take my mind off of things. When I am left alone with my thoughts, I start to go down a slippery slope.”

“I had a feeling you might say something like that,” the captain responded with a sympathetic smile. “I also wanted you to know that we do offer counseling free of charge. Although it is typically reserved for work related trauma, I would be more than happy to pull a few strings and make an exception.”

“I appreciate the offer, I really do, but I think I have to decline for now.”

“Alright, well, that is all I have for you, so you can go ahead and get back to work,” Jenna said, dismissing Kore. Kore made a move for the door, about to exit when Jenna stopped her, “Please let me know if you change your mind at all.” 

“I will,” Kore gave the captain a weak smile. With that she started to return back to her desk, the idea of taking time off completely out of her brain. On her way there she took note of how the office was largely deserted, most people on their way to lunch. Grateful for a bit of peace and quiet, Kore turned back on research mode and started digging into this “Onychinus.” She couldn’t help but wonder if they had any connection to her family’s deaths.

With a pad of paper and a pen she scoured the Association’s databases, typing in the word nothing came up. She tried various other phonetic spellings of it with only zero results to appear. She tried “Onychinus” once more, this time something did turn up.

Did you mean “N109 Zone”? The database asked her. She wasn’t sure how they could be related, it wasn’t like you could misspell “N109 Zone” that badly, but it was a start.

Clicking on the link she was brought to another page. A sigh of relief passed through her. We are finally getting somewhere, she thought. The results were limited, 51 to be exact.

She had heard whispers of the N109 Zone before, but it was something that was treated more like an urban legend rather than a real place. It was hard to get a clear picture of everything as most things seemed to be redacted to shit. Most sources seemed to be regurgitating the same information over and over again, it seemed like the area was once a hub for technology but has become a wasteland after the Catastrophe, controlled by cartels who made money off of the trade of illicit goods.

There were discussions of the illegal sale of protocores at auction, most of which appeared to take place in the N109 Zone. Kore wasn’t stupid, she knew that the sale of protocores must’ve been a thing, they could be worth a lot of money and they are powerful. Protocore auctions turned up dozens of reports of raids that had occurred, only a few had a passing mention of the seemingly elusive Onychinus, but that was really it.

She tried using the information she had to expand her search, but as hours passed, there was very little that she could turn up. Frustrated, she goes to Nero, the team’s tech wizard, to see if he can help. Perhaps he has higher clearance than she does, or maybe she is just bad at researching, surely he can turn something up, she rationalizes.

Nero is deeply engrossed in something when Kore reaches the dark corner he resides in. Glancing over at his screen she sees him on some forum talking about a Lumiere?

“Who’s Lumiere?” Kore asked. Nero jumped in his seat at the sudden intrusion.

“What-I was just working, I wasn’t doing anything,” Nero stumbled, trying to cover his tracks.

“Wait, you don’t know about Lumiere?” He questioned, doing a complete 180. Kore just shook her head.

“How could you be a hunter and not know about Lumiere?? They’re an icon, a legend. They were the first Hunter. When the Chronorift Catastrophe first happened in 2034, they were the first one to fight the wanderers!!! It was reported that they alone saved dozens of lives when it happened. They were a hero, I cannot believe you have never heard of them.”

Noticing his enthusiasm, Kore started plotting. If I allowed him to talk, maybe he would be more receptive to bending the rules and helping me out, regardless of my clearance level, she thought. The remorse she would feel after manipulating him was in the far corners of her mind, she was a woman on a mission after all.

“They sound incredible, can you tell me more,” Kore asked, pulling up the chair from the empty cubicle next to his. Nero’s eyes lit up at the opportunity and his whole entire demeanor changed.

“Wow, where do I even begin… Well, Lumiere’s identity has never been confirmed. There have been whispers and speculations, but if you ask me, none of them have been right, they just don’t fit the profile. After saving the city during the Catastrophe, which Lumiere did single handedly, not even the military knew how to handle the situation, at least not like Lumiere did. Anyways, after Linkon City was saved, Lumiere completely disappeared. No traces left behind at all.

“That is until about 2 years ago - on February the 26th of 2046 - rumors of a Lumiere sighting started to circulate online. A picture was posted on one of our forums and people went crazy. None of the Lumites - Lumiere fans - could agree on if it was actually them. It caused a whole big fight online. 

“But eventually more and more sightings appeared and we Lumites came to the consensus that it was Lumiere, but then that started a whole other bout of discourse. Why would they wait this long to come back? What were they doing out and about now?

“Well, through eye witnesses and photographs we were able to piece together a little bit of information. Although some Lumites contest it, it is widely accepted that Lumiere became a Tenebra. You know what that is right?”

Kore shook her head.

“Oh I thought you would know what a Tenebra is because you’re a Hunter, but I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised considering you didn’t even know who Lumiere is,” Nero scoffed before his hands covered his mouth, “I am so sorry I didn’t mean to rude. Please forgive me.”

“It’s fine,” Kore waved off his words, “but what is a Tenebra?”

“Right, right. A Tenebra is someone who broke the Hunter’s Code. Although it is typically due to them engaging in illegal activities, most commonly protocore smuggling, that isn’t always the case.” Nero checked that the coast was clear before leaning in and continuing in a whisper, “For years now there has been a theory that the higher ups in the Association ask high level hunters to do some crazy things and that go against most people’s morals.

“A few high level former hunter’s have said as much, but they have widely been discredited as either addicts or having extreme paranoia, but some people think that is propaganda.” After that Nero sat back up and continued at his previous volume

“Anyways, another key component of being a Tenebra is ties to some sort of secret organization. So one can, in theory, be a Tenebra without participating in any illegal activities. And we know that Lumiere isn’t a bad person, so, it isn’t the illegal activities that potentially make them a Tenebra. No, we think that it is because Lumiere has ties to some of the groups in the N109 Zone.

“And this isn’t just a theory either - Lumiere has been spotted in the N109 Zone as recently as two weeks ago and as far back as two years. We think that Lumiere is the one who is keeping the wanderers out of the N109 Zone and that they potentially have ties to Onychinus, who is supposedly one of the big names in the N109 Zone.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Kore stopped him while he was taking a breath, “What do you know about Onychinus?”

“Well, there isn’t too much known other than they practically govern the N109 Zone, it’s thought that they have a big hand in protocore trade though, even if it can’t be confirmed. I have also heard whisperings of the name Sylus in connection to them, but I have never been able to figure out how that plays into everything.”

“What do you know about the N109 Zone,” Kore pried for more information. 

“I don’t know too much, it is well known that information about this and Onychinus is kept largely under lock and key for some reason, but I do know that it is a hotbed for crime, also that it used to be a tech hub. Ever was allegedly based there when it first opened, but you can’t find that now, for some reason they are trying to scrub the internet of their history. There’s also–” Nero suddenly got quiet.

Xavier had appeared, leaning over the cubical’s low walls. “I was looking for you, Kore,” he said, “we have a mission.”

Kore apologized to him and stood up also apologizing to Nero for leaving him, asking to talk more about this soon to which he eagerly nodded. She then followed Xavier’s retreating footsteps.

“I don’t know why you’re talking about Lumiere,” Xavier said once she caught up to him, “It is pretty well known that they died during the Catastrophe, protecting the city.”

The wanderer was a particularly stubborn one, making it a tough fight, especially for Kore, who was already off her game. Usually, she had an uncanny ability to predict the movements of wanderers, which was why she was put in the Alpha team fresh out of the academy, but she was slightly off her game. Most of her blows were hitting the target, which was concerning considering she was the top marksman in her class. A few of her attacks were just grazes but unfortunately the wanderer could say the same. She had been grazed by the creature several. Her movements, while not exactly sluggish, were not up to her usual standard. It was mistakes like this that made her job all the more deadly.

Reloading her pistol, she took her eyes off of the wanderer, just for a moment. Big mistake. She didn’t see it coming and would’ve been hit if it wasn’t for Xavier jumping in front of her and deflecting the hit, his sword and skill easily fending off the attack.

Xavier was quick to deliver the finishing blow and Kore was left feeling ashamed. She moved off to the sidelines and fiddled with her equipment. She could feel Xavier wandering over but tried to ignore him.

“Don’t beat yourself up about it,” he said, “even the best of us have bad days.”

“Don’t patronize me,” Kore grumbled, picking lint off of her uniform.

“I’m not patronizing you, I am just letting you know,” Xavier said walking off. It was just then that Kore remembered she had something that she wanted to ask him.

“Xavier, wait,” she said, continuing when he turned back around, “Do you know anything about aether cores?”

A look of surprise flashed over his face, he was clearly not expecting that question, but he was quick to be able to mask his shock. He shook his head, responding, “No, I have never heard of such a thing.”

“Don’t lie to me,” Kore said accusatively, fire in her eyes. She had seen him falter and she would not drop the subject until she got what she wanted. Xavier sighed, shoulders relaxing before adjusting his posture.

“I should have known that you would be able to tell that something was different about that protocore,” Xavier said. Confused, Kore thinks back on their time together and remembers their first fight. It was in No Hunt Zone 7, the first time that they had met. She had noticed something was off about the protocore that came from the wanderer that they had fought, but she had always assumed that it was because she only had seen controlled specimens in her classes and never a real one out in the field.

“In its most basic form, an aether core is a type of protocore, one that has been modified somehow,” Xavier continued, unaware of the rapid thoughts in her mind, “it is very rare for aether cores to develop naturally and so they are often a result of human interference. Oftentimes their power dwarfs that of a regular protocore. They are very dangerous and not many people know about them, not even the Hunter’s Association.”

“If you know about the existence of aether cores, why haven’t you told the Hunter’s Association about them,” Kore questions.

“Well you know about them too, why haven’t you?” Xavier counters, her reaction is far from the ‘touche’ he expected.

“Now that I know that you have been hiding stuff from me AND the Association, how am I supposed to be able to trust you?” Kore practically shouts. Logically, she was aware that she was more mad than she had any right to be, but that didn't stop the fire that was coursing through her veins.

“Well you’re keeping something from me too, how did you find out about aether cores in the first place,” Xavier asked calmly.

“Because allegedly I have one in my body and that makes me feel like I have a right to know,” she said, her temper rising.

“You what?” Xavier said, his face paled, “What do you mean that you have an aether core inside of your body?” He didn’t even know that it was possible for a human to survive with an aether core inside of their body.

“Well apparently I was in some sort of experiment when I was younger, which I don’t remember by the way, and there was one placed in my heart and that is why I have Protocore Syndrome in the first place.”

“What do you mean ‘apparently’ you either were or you weren’t how do you know?” Xavier said, confused. Kore then recounted everything that had happened to her since Friday. 

She was so angry she didn’t gloss over any detail. It was if all at once all of her frustrations about the whole ordeal came out, the pot had boiled over. Xavier, for his part, stayed calm and collected as she went off on her verbal rampage.

“--and I need to find out more information on Onychinus because I just have a feeling that they are the fuckers responsible for this all happening but nothing is coming up–” Her avalanche of words stopped when Xavier placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“I just don't know what to do,” Kore admitted as she made eye contact for the first time. Tears threatened to spill out of her eyes and her bottom lip quivered. Xavier smoothed down her hair with his other hand. A sob escaped her and she fell against him as if she no longer had control over her body, he wrapped his arms around her as she cried. Deep down she was embarrassed with how she was conducting herself, but it had been so hard recently and she hadn’t been giving herself the time or space to just feel.

Slowly but surely, Kore was able to compose herself. Although still a sniffling mess, she pulled herself off of him and said meekly “I’m sorry about that, I don’t know what came over me.”

“I think I might have something to cheer you up. Here,” Xavier said as he fiddled with his Hunter’s Watch. He put their two watches together and hers lit up, Confirm Security Clearance was on the display. “The Association’s databases are useless if you don’t have the right level of clearance. I extended my security clearance to you so hopefully more things will turn up for you.”

“Really?” Kore said, still wiping her tears.

“If it’ll help you feel better and earn back your trust then yes,” he said, “but you should know that it only lasts for 24 hours. Now go.”

Kore looked at him appreciatively, touched by his gesture, “Thank you, Xavier, for everything.”

The office was nearly empty when she arrived, which made sense as the day had been over for quite some time now. She had practically sprinted the entire way back, her leg wouldn’t stop bouncing the entire ride there, every stop the subway had made felt like a lifetime. As quickly as she could she got to her computer and logged in. Preparing herself for the worst, she typed “N109 Zone” in the search bar. The results were instantaneous, and she was shocked at just how much more information came up.

The redactions in the records that she had been reading earlier were fewer, but not gone completely. She was, however, able to learn more about these supposed protocore auctions that took place there. The auctions were allegedly held at a place only referred to as Elysium and it seemed that the vast majority of them were run by the group Onychinus. There’s that name again, she thought to herself.

Scanning the screen again she noticed that with this level of security clearance, a new database had been unlocked for her the Abyssal Chaos, which she knew existed but didn’t know what it was for. Taking a chance, she put “Onychinus” in the search bar, the results were far greater than she had expected.

This time, a shocking number of reports popped up. It seemed that Dr. Higgins’ death wasn’t the only one that had suspected ties to the criminal organization. It appeared that they had been targeting former Ever researchers but the motive was still unclear. This information, coupled with her grandmother’s former ties to the company, made her convinced that they had been involved somehow.

She became obsessed over reading every single report linking them to metaflux explosions and suspicious deaths. Falling deeper and deeper into a rabbit hole, but she didn’t mind, she was too busy developing a deep hatred for the organization. She had already felt like what had happened was not an accident and matching the similarities to their M.O. was intoxicating. She was placating a hunger she didn’t know she felt.

All of this eventually led her to find another, classified, report that vindicated her belief that Onychinus was involved in her Grandma and Caleb’s deaths. This wasn’t the one that she had been obsessing over just last week, this was a different, confidential one. As pissed as she wanted to be that this was kept from her, the desire for retribution was taking over her. She had to make them pay. 

She stumbled upon a document containing all of the data that the government had on Onychinus. In it she found a lot of information that she knew already, but there was also intel on a few potential members of the group. One of the suspected higher ups was only known as Mr. Sherman and he was thought to be the brains behind the operation. Sherman’s profile was unexpectedly deep and through, it made her wonder why they hadn’t got the guy if they knew so much about him.

However, it was another alleged member of the group that really caught her eye. There was very little on him, not even a picture, just his name, Sylus. He was suspected of being the leader of the group but there was a point of contention on if he was even real. The report mentions how some of the information about him seemed to be more stuff of urban legend than reality, for example. It was said that he could disappear into a plume of black and red smoke, Kore rolled her eyes at that. Yeah right he can do that, does he turn into a bat too? Like a fucking vampire? 

Despite the myths that seemed to surround him it was confirmed that he was, in fact, a real person, and that he was the leader, or at least figurehead, of Onychinus. Everything that she learned about them culminated into hatred for this one man. “Hatred” was too weak of a word for what she felt, she loathed nim, no she despised him.

Somehow, someway, she was determined to make him pay for what he had done. If I could just go to the N109 Zone and track him down, I could make him pay, she thought. Wait, what’s stopping me from doing that? The gears in her brain started spinning and she was calculating exactly what steps she needed to take to go there. She wasn’t even sure what exactly she would do once she got there, but for the time being that was irrelevant to her.

Kore refocused her attention on the N109 Zone, this time searching Abyssal Chaos’ database. There was something new that caught her eye. A decades old brochure with touristy information, incredibly out of place for a top secret digital archive. 

The scan resolution of the old pamphlet was abysmal, but it was still legible. What really confused her was that everytime the name of the town should have been mentioned it was scratched out. This wasn’t as if someone had redacted it digitally or with a pen, it looked like someone had been desperate to erase the name in its entirety. 

Come to think of it, she had never heard of the N109 Zone referred to anything other than that. By the age of the brochure it was clear that it was older than the Catastrophe so it could not have possibly always been the N109 Zone, she reasoned. A picture captured her attention.

Nearly an entire page was dedicated to the brand new Ever research facility that was opened in 2007. Outside of the shiny new building was the unmistakable image of her grandmother, decades younger than the woman she had known, but it was her nonetheless.

Unexpectedly seeing her grandmother like that was like a punch to the gut. Especially when she was having so many mixed emotions about the woman since she had learned more about her role in the experimentation that was done on her. She tried to clear her mind and get back to reading, but it was difficult.

Inside there was the regular touristy information one would expect a city to promote, the weather, hot spots to check out and sights to see, as well as a map of the city. Thinking ahead or acting in pure paranoia, Kore downloaded the document onto a hard drive she kept at her desk before she switched focus.

Before shutting down her computer, she made one last search. She typed in “aether cores” and waited for the results. It was exactly as Xaiver had said, the Hunter’s Association didn’t know anything about them – at least not in an official capacity. 

Kore was getting tired and her desk was looking mighty comfortable. Checking the clock, it hadn’t even struck twelve, she decided that there wouldn’t be much harm in taking a short rest, so she gave herself permission to close her eyes. Sleep hit her hard and fast.

Next >

[possessionisamyth]

Genuinely wondering what contacts Leon was using in RE6 to leave the states and get on a public international flight to china in the first place? This man just killed the president. They have all his personal information in the government database because he works for them. Who gives him and Helena the fake passports to get through security? Their images don't get flagged immediately? Presumed dead after that secret underground facility below the church blew up, but mans can use the same passport with his face and name on it? Was it Hunnigan's handy work despite her being under Simmons' tight radar? If so, what was Hunnigan doing to make this possible, and how is she so OP? I want to follow this breadcrumb trail, but I can't because this story is a beautiful mediocre mess.

[codenamesazanka]

Hi! sorry to trouble you but do you know where in the manga/anime its mentioned that Dabi's appearance is what led the villain's bar to be discovered? I tried looking it up a few months ago with no luck. If this is too much to ask do ignore this I don't want to bother you 😭😭 I love all the writing you do on the LoV 🫶

Thanks for the ask! It's no trouble at all!

It's never stated explicitly, but we can infer from this page from Chapter 83, right after the Forest Training Camp Raid:

I'll transcribe the image because it's literally just Detective Tsukauchi giving All Might the whole thing via a phone call:

All Might: Sorry. What's up... Tsukauchi? Tsukauchi: I'm getting statements from your two colleagues right now, but... we're got a shocking developing in the case! We may have pinpointed... The League of Villains' hideout. About two weeks ago, one of my men was out canvassing for information. One witness saw a man with a "patchwork face" enter a building. A building that didn't have any tenants. We searched the database for convicted criminals around 20 years of age, but none fit the profile. When we contacted the building owner, we learned that there's a bar inside. A hidden one, though, like a shelter. It didn't seem connected to the investigation at the time, so we moved on, but now... That description matches one of the villains who kidnapped your student! Given the situation, we're going to raid the place as soon as we've got enough evidence! This is all top secret, but I figured you should know!

So what happened was this:

About two weeks before the Forest Training Camp Raid, a rando saw someone with a 'patchwork face'. We can safely assume this is Dabi, given the stitches all over his eyes and jaw; no one else in the League matches that description as fittingly.

The civilian saw Dabi enter a supposedly empty building. Later, when the police come poking around, this civilian gives a description of Dabi, as well as pointing out the building. The police - specifically Sansa, the cat heteromorph policeman - records all this down.

The police checks out the building, and finds that it even has a hidden bar. However, because Dabi hasn't made his public debut a Villain, nor as part of the League of Villains yet, the police deem this information irrelevant to their investigation of Shigaraki Tomura (who, as far as the police know at this moment in time, is still working with only Kurogiri, and could be plotting from the sewers of Siberia). The police set it aside.

Two weeks later, the League of Villains attack the Forest Training Camp Raid. Dabi (or rather, the clone Twice made of him) attacks Eraserhead and Vlad King. They both get a good look at him.

In the aftermath, the police interview Eraserhead and Vlad King. In the image above, you can see them in the interrogation room with Tsukauchi and Sansa.

Eraserhead and Vlad King described the villain they encounter - Dabi. Sansa recognizes that description; remembers his notes - the location, the building. And suddenly, everything links up: Dabi, part of the League of Villains, is seen going into a supposedly empty building, one that has a hidden bar, which means it could very well be the League of Villains' hideout.

(And we the readers know it is, because a bar is where we most often see Shigaraki Tomura and Kurogiri regroup after failed missions, meet up with other villains to conduct business, generally hang out.)

[madeofthreads]

@housetummelt | x

Ji-eun exhaled a slow breath. The tension was still there, but it wasn't quite as explosive as it had been before... she didn't want to shout, and she didn't want to assault him with questions after all. She simply needed a moment to gather herself back together.

Following his guidance, she pulled back from the hug, and it was then that she realised his was the first familiar face that she had seen in the aftermath. Of all the people she had ever known, Baldur Tummelt was the first she could confidently say 'he survived'.

"It is good to see you Mr. Tummelt." Ji-eun meant to apologise to him. To dismiss her reaction in some way, but really, she wasn't sorry about it at all.

"I... am alive." It almost sounded like she questioned that, whether she truly was alive, whether this could truly be called living. It felt more like surviving. Her parents had both been listed as dead, according to a security database they were both swiped into their non-military work, and both placed at the epicenter of disaster. Even if it were a lie, even if they somehow survived the initial assault from within Gralea, they would not survive the cold and the dark that was to come.

When asked whether she needed anything, she gave a small pause. Yes. Yes, but a secret need. "Perhaps..." she couldn't get out the words. "That is, I do have a favour to seek, but I wouldn't ask for it until I see for myself the state of this Nifen base. There has been so much that has gone wrong. So many people in greater need. I can wait."

Then she managed a very weak smile. Barely a tug of her lips, and it was gone just as quick. "Mrs. Tummelt. I would very much like to see her as well. People have been slowly arriving, and I haven't seen any faces that I recognised until now. I'm... I think I'm in need of familiar company. The Lord Hi- former- Ravus." It felt strange to use his name in a setting that wasn't private. "We arrived together, but we were made aware of intel concerning a Tenebraean escort that needed assistance. He left to receive them but I... well, I'm here, unfit to deploy." That was her favour, but Baldur was a smart enough man to put two and two together.

Ji-eun maneuvered to stand at his side. She followed his lead, hoped quietly that the lower decks weren't as depressing as the image that came to mind. Not a sad and decrepit slum where the Nifen had been dumped. "... and how are you?" she dared to ask after she herself had spilled her troubles upon him. "Are you well?" Or was he also surviving.

[thechanelmuse]

My Book Review

"If you're not paying for it, you're the product."

Your Face Belongs to Us is a terrifying yet interesting journey through the world of invasive surveillance, artificial intelligence, facial recognition, and biometric data collection by way of the birth and rise of a company called Clearview AI — a software used by law enforcement and government agencies in the US yet banned in various countries. A database of 75 million images per day.

The writing is easy flowing investigative journalism, but the information (as expected) is...chile 👀. Lawsuits and court cases to boot. This book reads somewhat like one of my favorite books of all-time, How Music Got Free by Stephen Witt (my review's here), in which it delves into the history from birth to present while learning the key players along the way.

Here's an excerpt that keeps you seated for this wild ride:

“I was in a hotel room in Switzerland, six months pregnant, when I got the email. It was the end of a long day and I was tired but the email gave me a jolt. My source had unearthed a legal memo marked “Privileged & Confidential” in which a lawyer for Clearview had said that the company had scraped billions of photos from the public web, including social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, to create a revolutionary app. Give Clearview a photo of a random person on the street, and it would spit back all the places on the internet where it had spotted their face, potentially revealing not just their name but other personal details about their life. The company was selling this superpower to police departments around the country but trying to keep its existence a secret.”

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Gabe Fleisher at Wake Up To Politics:

Historically, the closest parallel to what happened last night is probably the assassination attempt of Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. Like Donald Trump — who was shot in the ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday — Roosevelt was a former president when he survived a gunman’s fire. Also like Trump, Roosevelt at the time was running to reclaim the White House, in the midst of a campaign speech in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Finally, and most importantly, the attempts on both men’s lives will likely be best remembered for their defiance in the face of a would-be assassin. In his case, Roosevelt continued delivering his speech, even as a bullet was lodged in his chest. “It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose,” he famously declared, going on to speak for another 50 minutes before seeking medical attention. Secret Service protocols would not allow such a display today; still, the attack on Trump will forever be defined by this instantly iconic image, of Trump’s face streaked with blood, his fist raised in the air, the American flag waving behind him. It has been 44 years since a federal elected official (Allard Lowenstein, a New York congressman) was successfully assassinated in the United States, a streak that often masks the fact that political violence has been steadily increasing over the last decade.

This is not the 1960s — when a president, a presidential candidate, and several civil rights leaders were killed in a five-year period — but more from a lack of successes than a lack of trying. It has not been an era, thank God, of murdered politicians, but it has been one of dangerously close shaves. On January 6, 2021, rioters came within 40 feet of then-Vice President Mike Pence, as Trump supporters chanted for his hanging and searched for then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), among others. Less than two years later, Pelosi’s husband sustained an attack by hammer; if a police dispatcher had not understood his coded messaging, he may have ended up with worse than just a skull fracture. In 2017, doctors told Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) that he had been “within a minute of death” after being shot at a congressional baseball practice. Then-Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) also survived gunfire, but she has never fully regained the ability of speech after a 9-millimeter bullet cut through her brain in 2011.

A man made it just outside of Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s house in 2022, armed with a pistol, knife, hammer, crow bar, and zip ties, but his assassination plot was foiled when he called the police himself, his second thoughts having taken over. Someone made it even closer to then-Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) one month later, climbing on stage during a gubernatorial campaign rally; thankfully, the attacker was armed only with a keychain. Quantifiably, according to a University of Maryland database, political violence since 2016 has been at its highest levels in the U.S. since the 1970s. Before 2016, the U.S. Capitol Police had never opened more than 1,000 threat investigations in a single year; last year, more than 8,000 threats against members of Congress were investigated. Similarly, “investigated threats against federal judges have risen every year since 2018,” according to the U.S. Marshals Service, while election officials are also facing an unprecedented level of menace.

The threats were all able to be foiled, but several — like the bullet that whizzed just inches away from Trump on Saturday — came horrifyingly close to fruition. And oftentimes, even as the politicians live, others become collateral damage of our toxic politics. Yesterday, at least one American was killed simply for attending a political rally of their preferred presidential candidate. [...] Rarely do Democratic or Republican officials stop to acknowledge that their own side might have a role to play in our divisive politics. Instead, when horrors like last night’s unfold, each side reliably finds a way to blame the other party, which only serves to exacerbate further the cycle of hatred and violence that brought us to this point. Even in their responses to tragedy, more toxicity flows loose.

Gabe Fleisher details in his Wake Up To Politics newsletter the history of close calls that would have resulted in the death of various politicians over the past decade and a half or so, such as Gabby Giffords, Paul Pelosi, Steve Scalise, Mike Pence, and most recently, Donald Trump.

[bracketsoffear]

Man with the Upside-down Face (Mayfair Watcher's Society/Trevor Henderson's art) "A voyeur that can only appears in photographs and still images, and cannot be seen on video or with the naked eye. It thrives off of negative feelings and emotions, purposely showing up at car crashes, accidents and other disasters to watch and feed off the pain. It's been described as incredibly sadistic by Trevor Henderson himself. It cannot directly cause these accidents, being described as "bottom feeder" and feeding off of events that have already occurred, but has driven people to the point of causing harm and death to others. It's appearance is purposeful to cause unease to any who might see it."

Cypher (Valorant) "Cypher is an extremely skilled surveillance specialist and information broker, capable of sniffing out any secrets the enemy could be hiding. He has a penchant for constantly gathering data and information on both his enemies AND allies at all times, to the point where he can make casual reference to the more classified or fabricated details of some of his teammates' backgrounds, as well as pull out everyone's personal passwords at the drop of a hat. His official description even declares that "No secret is safe. No maneuver goes unseen. Cypher is always watching", several of his voicelines place emphasis on vision, eyes, blindness, or some derivative thereof (particularly in relation to his spycams), and one of his in-game abilities involves him performing neural theft on dead enemies to recover intel on the opposing team. Which isn't blatantly Eye-related as far as I know, but does illustrate the levels he is willing to go to in order to gather information -- not even the things tucked into the recesses of your mind are safe.

However, that's not all: whilst Cypher is very much fixated on amassing knowledge about the people around him, he is also desperate to keep his own secrets under lock and key. His personal file in the Protocol's database is missing, he constantly covers up every inch of skin, and where Cypher knows basically everything there is to know about his teammates, his teammates barely know anything about him, which has caused people to distrust him on more than one occasion. This secrecy is partly for practical reasons, as his being compromised could easily lead to a massive security breach, but also for personal reasons as well: while he is on a mission to capture Fade, she uses her fear-based powers to manifest the deepest, darkest nightmares of all the agents present. Cypher's fear is represented by being tied to a chair and surrounded by cameras, while a figure comes up from behind and pulls off his mask. Additionally, the blackmail dossier he'd recieved from Fade some time prior to this mission taunts him for his constant desire to run and hide when faced with the prospect of anything about him being known, as well as how protective he is of his secrets to the point of alienating everyone around him including his loved ones.

All this effectively makes Cypher an avatar that both spreads the paranoia of being watched and having your secrets known while at the same time suffering from it. Which, yeah, seems about right."

[dirtyriver]

Vending machine error reveals secret face image database of college students

The scandal started when a student using the alias SquidKid47 posted an image on Reddit showing a campus vending machine error message, "Invenda.Vending.FacialRecognitionApp.exe," displayed after the machine failed to launch a facial recognition application that nobody expected to be part of the process of using a vending machine.

[serankpro]

What Happens to a Media File When You Delete It from the Media Library in WordPress? It’s Not What You Think

Let’s face it—WordPress is a user-friendly platform, but when it comes to media management, it has a few secrets hiding under the hood. One of the biggest mysteries users face is: What happens to a Media File When You Delete It from the Media Library in WordPress?

At first glance, you might assume that deleting an image or video means it's permanently removed from your website. But WordPress doesn’t operate like your desktop’s recycle bin. When you hit delete, the media file vanishes from your dashboard—but it may still be quietly squatting on your server, eating up space and waiting to break something.

That’s right. The file you deleted could still load via a direct URL or even be embedded somewhere else on your site, like a blog post or product gallery. This is because WordPress performs a soft delete, meaning it removes the file from its internal database but not immediately from your hosting environment. Until you empty the Trash, the media file is in limbo—neither fully deleted nor actively used.

Why does this matter? Because leftover files cause more harm than you think. Broken image icons, 404 errors, misfiring sliders, SEO penalties, and even bloated storage can all trace back to sloppy media deletion practices. Understanding what happens behind the scenes when you delete a media file in WordPress helps you avoid technical clutter, storage waste, and embarrassing front-end glitches.

So, before you click that delete button in your Media Library, know this: there’s a difference between deleting from view and deleting for real. And unless you’re taking proper steps to remove media from your server and all usage points, you're only creating the illusion of cleanliness. Read this complete breakdown and learn how to clean up your WordPress site properly—without sacrificing speed, SEO, or sanity.

[rankedtutors]

The Secrets of Winning Term Paper Writing: Your Ultimate Guide to 100% Academic Success

Ever stared at a blank document, watching that cursor blink mockingly as your term paper deadline looms? You're not alone. Every semester, thousands of college students face this exact moment of academic anxiety. But what if I told you that writing a term paper doesn't have to feel like scaling Mount Everest in flip-flops?

Welcome to your ultimate guide on term paper writing, where we unravel the secrets to crafting a stellar paper that not only meets academic standards but also stands out. And remember, when the going gets tough, Ranked Tutors are here to provide unparalleled assignment help and academic support every step of the way.

Home - Ranked Tutors

What is a Term Paper?

A term paper is more than just an assignment; it's an academic exercise that demonstrates your understanding of a subject, your ability to conduct research, and your skill in presenting coherent arguments. Typically spanning several pages, a term paper delves deep into a specific topic, requiring thorough investigation and critical analysis. Whether you're in high school, college, or university, mastering the art of term paper writing is essential for academic success.

Why Term Papers Matter

Term papers are pivotal in assessing your grasp of course material. They encourage independent thinking, enhance research skills, and improve your ability to articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. Moreover, a well-crafted term paper can significantly influence your final grade, making it a cornerstone of your academic journey.

>>Click the image below<<

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing an Outstanding Term Paper

1. Understanding the Assignment

Before you embark on your writing journey, it's crucial to grasp every detail of your assignment:

Dissect the Prompt: Carefully read the assignment instructions. Highlight action verbs like "analyze," "compare," or "evaluate" to understand what is expected.

Clarify Objectives: Identify the main questions you need to address. Write them down in your own words to ensure comprehension.

Review Formatting Guidelines: Note the required citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.), page length, font type, and margin settings. Missteps here can cost you easy points.

Understand the Grading Rubric: If provided, study it to know how your paper will be evaluated. This helps prioritize areas that carry more weight.

Ask Questions Early: If any part of the assignment is unclear, consult your professor or TA well in advance.

2. Choosing a Relevant and Engaging Topic

Your topic sets the foundation for your entire paper:

Brainstorm Ideas: Jot down subjects that interest you within the course scope. Use mind-mapping tools like MindMeister or Coggle to visualize connections.

Conduct Preliminary Research: Use databases like Google Scholar or your university library's resources to gauge available literature.

Narrow Your Focus: Aim for a specific aspect of a broad topic. For example, instead of "climate change," consider "the effects of climate change on Arctic marine biodiversity."

Ensure Resource Availability: Check that there are enough credible sources to support your research. This includes books, peer-reviewed journals, and reputable websites.

Seek Approval: Run your topic by your instructor to ensure it's appropriate and original.

3. Conducting Thorough Research

Solid research is the backbone of a compelling term paper:

Use Academic Databases: Access resources like JSTOR, PubMed, or IEEE Xplore for scholarly articles.

Leverage Your Library: Don't overlook physical books and journals. Librarians can be invaluable in guiding you to relevant materials.

Organize with Citation Managers: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote help manage references and format citations effortlessly.

Take Detailed Notes: Use digital notebooks like Evernote or OneNote to record key points, quotes, and your reflections.

Evaluate Source Credibility: Prioritize peer-reviewed articles and books published by respected authors or institutions. Be cautious with internet sources—verify their authority.

Stay Organized: Create a dedicated folder on your computer with subfolders for articles, notes, and drafts.

4. Crafting a Strong Thesis Statement

Your thesis is the central argument your paper will support:

Be Specific and Arguable: Avoid vague statements. Your thesis should make a clear, contestable claim.

Weak Thesis: "Pollution is bad for the environment."

Strong Thesis: "Implementing a carbon tax is the most effective strategy to reduce industrial pollution and combat climate change."

Align with Your Research: Ensure your thesis reflects the evidence you've gathered. It may evolve as you delve deeper into your topic.

Test Its Strength: Ask yourself if someone could reasonably disagree with your thesis. If not, it may need refining.

Keep It Concise: Aim for one to two sentences that encapsulate your main argument.

5. Creating an Outline

An outline organizes your thoughts and structures your paper:

Start Broad, Then Narrow Down: Begin with the main sections and fill in sub-points.

Use Bullet Points or Numbering: This visual hierarchy helps keep your ideas organized.

Include Evidence and Sources: Under each point, note which sources you'll reference.

Utilize Outline Tools: Applications like Scrivener or Microsoft Word's outline feature can be helpful.

Sample Outline Structure:

Introduction

Hook: A startling statistic or a provocative question.

Background Information: Brief context for your topic.

Thesis Statement: Your main argument.

Body Paragraphs

Point 1: Topic sentence introducing the first argument.

Evidence: Data, quotes, or examples.

Analysis: Explain how this supports your thesis.

Point 2: Next argument, following the same structure.

Point 3: Additional arguments as needed.

Conclusion

Restate Thesis: In light of the evidence presented.

Summary of Main Points: Brief recap.

Closing Thoughts: Implications, future research, or a call to action.

6. Writing the First Draft

Turn your outline into a full-fledged paper:

Start with the Section You're Most Comfortable With: You don't have to write in order. If the body paragraphs are clearer, begin there.

Implement the Pomodoro Technique: Write in focused intervals (e.g., 25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break) to enhance productivity.

Write Freely: Don't worry about perfection at this stage. Let your ideas flow naturally.

Integrate Sources Seamlessly: Use quotes and paraphrases effectively, and always cite immediately to avoid accidental plagiarism.

Maintain Academic Tone: Keep the language formal but engaging. Avoid slang and overly casual expressions.

Use Transitions: Words like "however," "furthermore," and "consequently" help connect ideas and improve flow.

7. Revising and Editing

Refinement turns a good paper into a great one:

Take a Break: Step away from your draft for a few hours or days to gain a fresh perspective.

Read Aloud: This helps catch awkward phrasing and run-on sentences.

Focus on Higher-Order Concerns First: Address content, structure, and clarity before nitpicking grammar and punctuation.

Use Editing Tools: Software like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor can highlight issues in grammar and style.

Seek External Feedback: Share your draft with a peer, mentor, or utilize your university's writing center.

Check for Consistency: Ensure terminology, tense, and point of view remain consistent throughout.

Verify Citations: Cross-check in-text citations with your bibliography for accuracy.

8. Finalizing Your Paper

Ensure your paper meets all requirements and is polished:

Formatting Precision: Adhere strictly to the specified citation style. Use the official style guides or resources like the Purdue OWL for reference.

Create a Title Page: If required, include your name, course, professor's name, and submission date.

Include Headers and Page Numbers: As per the formatting guidelines.

Double-check figures and Tables: Ensure they're labeled correctly and referenced in the text.

Proofread Meticulously: Look for typos, formatting errors, and ensure the paper flows logically.

Backup Your Work: Save copies on multiple platforms like an external drive and cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox).

Submission Checklist:

All assignment requirements met.

Correct file format (e.g., .docx, .pdf).

Submitted via the correct platform or method.

Confirmation of submission received.

Any pending school assignment? The deadline is approaching fast. Contact us on >>WhatsApp<< and we’ll write that paper as fast as possible. 

Additional Tools and Tricks

Time Management Apps: Utilize apps like Trello or Asana to plan and track your progress.

Stay Organized Digitally: Keep all related files in a single folder with clear filenames.

Set Internal Deadlines: Break your project into smaller tasks with specific due dates.

Healthy Study Habits:

Ergonomic Workspace: Ensure your study area is comfortable to reduce fatigue.

Regular Breaks: Use techniques like the 20-20-20 rule to rest your eyes.

Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Proper nutrition aids concentration.

Avoiding Plagiarism:

Understand What Constitutes Plagiarism: This includes self-plagiarism and improper paraphrasing.

Use Plagiarism Checkers: Tools like Turnitin or Copyscape can help ensure originality.

Proper Paraphrasing: Always rewrite ideas in your own words and cite the source.

Enhancing Writing Quality:

Vary Sentence Structure: Mix short and long sentences to improve readability.

Active Voice Preference: Use active voice for clarity and conciseness.

Avoid Jargon: Unless necessary, keep language accessible.

By incorporating these specific tools, tricks, and strategies into your term paper writing process, you'll not only make the task more manageable but also elevate the quality of your work. Remember, writing is a skill that improves with practice, so apply these techniques consistently to see the best results.

Tips for Writing a High-Quality Term Paper

While the step-by-step process provides a solid framework, here are some additional tips to elevate your term paper:

Embrace Originality

Original thought distinguishes your work from others. Strive to present unique perspectives or innovative solutions to problems. Avoid clichés and strive for fresh insights.

Maintain Academic Integrity

Plagiarism can have severe academic consequences. Ensure all sources are properly cited, and consider using plagiarism detection tools to verify the originality of your work. Plagiarism-free papers are not only a requirement but also a testament to your integrity and dedication.

Balance Depth and Breadth

While it's essential to explore your topic in depth, avoid overwhelming your readers with excessive information. Strike a balance between comprehensive coverage and concise presentation.

Utilize Visual Aids

Incorporating charts, graphs, or tables can enhance your arguments and provide visual clarity. Ensure all visual aids are relevant and properly labeled.

Seek Feedback

Don't hesitate to seek feedback from peers, mentors, or professional assignment help services. Constructive criticism can offer new perspectives and highlight areas for improvement.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Term Paper Writing

Even with a clear plan, writing a term paper can present challenges. Here are strategies to overcome common obstacles:

Procrastination

Start early to avoid the stress of last-minute writing. Break the task into manageable chunks and set specific deadlines for each phase.

Writer's Block

Take a short break or switch tasks to refresh your mind when stuck. Engaging in discussions about your topic with classmates or using brainstorming techniques can also reignite your creativity.

Managing Sources

Organize your research effectively. Use reference management software to keep track of sources and streamline the citation process.

Balancing Quality and Quantity

Focus on the quality of your arguments rather than the word count. A concise, well-argued paper often holds more weight than a lengthy, meandering one.

Leveraging Professional Services for Term Paper Excellence

While self-reliance is commendable, sometimes seeking professional assistance can significantly enhance your term paper. This is where Ranked Tutors shines as a beacon of support in your academic journey.

Why Choose Ranked Tutors?

RankedTutors.com offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet your specific needs:

Term Paper Writing: Expert writers craft customized, high-quality term papers that align with your assignment requirements.

Essay Writing Services: From argumentative essays to research papers, our services cater to various academic formats.

Assignment Help: Whether you're grappling with complex concepts or tight deadlines, our team provides the best academic papers.

Academic Support: Access a wealth of resources, including research assistance and editing services, to bolster your academic performance.

Plagiarism-Free Papers: We prioritize originality, ensuring all papers are meticulously checked for plagiarism.

Research Assistance: Benefit from our extensive research expertise, guiding you through the complexities of academic investigation.

Affordable Excellence

At Ranked Tutors, quality doesn't come at an exorbitant price. We believe that every student deserves access to top-tier academic support without breaking the bank. Our transparent pricing models and various packages ensure that you find a solution that fits your budget.

Seamless Process

Engaging with Ranked Tutors is straightforward:

Place an Order: Submit your assignment details to us on WhatsApp.

Connect with a Writer: A writer for your paper is chosen based on their specialized subject area.

Receive Your Paper: Get a meticulously crafted term paper delivered within your deadline.

Review and Request Revisions: Ensure the paper meets your expectations with our revision policy.

Commitment to Confidentiality

Your privacy is paramount. Ranked Tutors guarantees complete confidentiality, ensuring that your personal information and academic integrity remain protected.

Real Stories of Success

Let’s hear from some of our satisfied clients who transformed their academic journey with Ranked Tutors:

Sarah's Triumph

"I was struggling to balance multiple assignments and a part-time job. Ranked Tutors not only delivered a flawless term paper on time but also provided insightful feedback that helped me understand the topic better. Their support was invaluable!" — Sarah M., University of California

James' Breakthrough

"As an international student, English isn't my first language. Ranked Tutors helped me articulate my ideas clearly and ensured my paper was free from grammatical errors. Their academic support made a significant difference in my grades." — James L., New York University

Emily's Achievement

"I thought my topic was too complex until I reached out to Ranked Tutors. Their expert writers broke it down into manageable sections, making the writing process seamless. The final paper exceeded my expectations!" — Emily R., Harvard University

The Path Forward: Embrace Excellence with Ranked Tutors

Embarking on the journey of term paper writing doesn't have to be solitary or stressful. With the right tools, strategies, and support, you can transform this academic challenge into an opportunity for growth and achievement. Ranked Tutors is committed to being your steadfast companion in this endeavor, offering unparalleled essay writing services and assignment help that empower you to excel.

Final Thoughts

Writing a term paper is a multifaceted process that requires careful planning, diligent research, and thoughtful execution. By understanding the fundamentals, leveraging effective strategies, and seeking professional assistance when needed, you can master the art of term paper writing and pave the way for academic success.

Remember, every mountain is conquered with the right approach and support. Let Ranked Tutors be your guide, providing the expertise and resources you need to reach the summit. Whether you're grappling with a challenging topic, tight deadlines, or simply seeking to enhance your writing skills, our team is here to help you navigate the path to excellence.

Take the First Step Today

Don't let term paper writing hold you back. Visit our services page to explore our range of services and discover how we can assist you in achieving your academic goals. With plagiarism-free papers, expert research assistance, and unwavering academic support, your success is our mission.

Any pending school assignment? The deadline is approaching fast. Contact us on >>WhatsApp<< and we’ll write that paper as fast as possible. 

[docvuai]

Pioneering Precision and Efficiency in Mortgage Document Processing

Introduction

Today, precision and efficiency have become paramount in mortgage document processing. As the industry continues to evolve, using the latest technologies and devising smart ways of doing things is crucial to stay ahead of the competition Navigating document processing management has traditionally been a demanding and time-intensive endeavor. Lenders and underwriters grapple with the daunting task of sifting through extensive paperwork to identify crucial information.

Imagine a world where handling mortgage paperwork is made easy by the latest technologies and intelligent strategies. According to The Insights Partners, having technology help in document processing plays a crucial role by automating and optimizing these workflows. The benefits are many, including minimized manual errors, enhanced efficiency, and improved accuracy in extracting data. All of this also helps reduce time and cost.

Join us as we unravel the secrets behind creating a seamless and powerful experience in the world of mortgage document processing.

Let’s talk about Challenges in Mortgage Document Processing

Evolving Expectations and Stringent Compliance

Significant challenges cast a formidable shadow, including prolonged lead times, rising processing expenses, changing borrower expectations, and strict compliance requirements. With conventional approaches, most lenders frequently find it challenging to address these demands effectively.

Complexity and Variability

Mortgage documents exhibit diverse formats and structures, encompassing scanned images, PDFs, and electronic files. They may include unstructured data, such as handwritten notes, posing challenges in accurate reading and information extraction. The inherent variability complicates the establishment of standardized processes for document review, resulting in inefficiencies and errors within the document processing workflow.

Regulations and Compliance

Mortgage firms are obligated to adhere to various regulations and compliance requirements, introducing an additional layer of complexity to the document processing workflow.

How are these challenges tackled, particularly in the realm of Mortgage Processing?

Automation is at the top of every mortgage business leader’s mind as a potential solution to the operational, regulatory, and financial challenges that they face. Plus, it’s a great way to differentiate their products and services from competitors.

The automated document processing capabilities of DocVu.AI enable faster, more accurate, and optimized mortgage processing capabilities. It leverages the power of AI and ML-based technologies to provide intelligent document processing solutions to lenders to improve their efficiency and productivity while ensuring a positive customer experience.

Reduced Time & Cost by Automation: Despite the inherently time-consuming nature of loan processing, clients anticipate swift resolutions. In addition to precision, speed stands as an equally crucial factor in ensuring the delivery of a superior borrower experience. DocVu.AI’s automation solution streamlines the process by bulk uploading documents, automatically detecting inconsistencies, and saving time on manual categorization. This efficiency leads to operational savings, contributing to overall cost-effectiveness in the mortgage processing workflow.

Integration with external systems: Manual mortgage procedures face issues with data exchange, real-time updates, and collaboration. Conversely, DocVu.AI’s AI and ML-based MDP platform seamlessly integrates with external databases, improving borrower profiles’ completeness with additional information.

Mortgage QC Audits & Compliance: Compliance scenarios are a critical aspect of mortgage loan processing; hence, mortgage firms should know and adhere to all regulations in the mortgage industry. With the help of automated mortgage data extraction tools compliance aspects are met by reducing operational risks, validating data, and ensuring applications are thoroughly audited before processing.

Efficiency in Pre-underwriting: It helps manage document verification, loan document organization, indexing, and preliminary mortgage disclosure preparation demands. DocVu.AI manages end-to-end mortgage processing and analyzes customer credibility to disburse mortgages with AI-based workflow engines. It also carries out pre-approval checks, assets and income verifications, and more to expedite the approval decision.

Scalable and Efficient Manpower: Users don’t have to fear disruptions in their existing IT processes when using automation solutions. MDPs are versatile and adaptable and work with legacy infrastructures without any issues.

Organizations scaling up can do so in real time since data is stored, processed, and managed on the Cloud.

Pioneering Precision and Efficiency with DocVu.AI

Take the leap into this transformative era with DocVu.AI and contribute to shaping a more dynamic, efficient, and customer-centered mortgage processing environment.

The automated document processing capabilities of DocVu.AI enable faster, more accurate, and optimized mortgage processing capabilities.

DocVu.AI provides support for loan origination, application, approval, closing, second closing, loan servicing, and securitization.

It can be easily integrated into your existing system, and all features are ready from Day 1 to offer your customers secure and faster mortgages.

Embrace the future of mortgage processing with DocVu.AI, where the brilliance of innovation shines brighter than ever. The time for change is now!

[partisan-by-default]

The scandal started when a student using the alias SquidKid47 posted an image on Reddit showing a campus vending machine error message, “Invenda.Vending.FacialRecognitionApp.exe,” displayed after the machine failed to launch a face recognition application that nobody expected to be part of the process of using a vending machine.

"Hey, so why do the stupid M&M machines have facial recognition?" SquidKid47 pondered.

The Reddit post sparked an investigation from a fourth-year student named River Stanley, who was writing for a university publication called MathNEWS.

Stanley sounded the alarm after consulting Invenda sales brochures that promised “the machines are capable of sending estimated ages and genders” of every person who used the machines—without ever requesting consent.

This frustrated Stanley, who discovered that Canada's privacy commissioner had years ago investigated a shopping mall operator called Cadillac Fairview after discovering some of the malls' informational kiosks were secretly “using facial recognition software on unsuspecting patrons.”

Only because of that official investigation did Canadians learn that “over 5 million nonconsenting Canadians” were scanned into Cadillac Fairview's database, Stanley reported. Where Cadillac Fairview was ultimately forced to delete the entire database, Stanley wrote that consequences for collecting similarly sensitive face recognition data without consent for Invenda clients like Mars remain unclear.

[jcmarchi]

The Growing Threat of Data Leakage in Generative AI Apps

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/the-growing-threat-of-data-leakage-in-generative-ai-apps/

The Growing Threat of Data Leakage in Generative AI Apps

The age of Generative AI (GenAI) is transforming how we work and create. From marketing copy to generating product designs, these powerful tools hold great potential. However, this rapid innovation comes with a hidden threat: data leakage. Unlike traditional software, GenAI applications interact with and learn from the data we feed them.

The LayerX study revealed that 6% of workers have copied and pasted sensitive information into GenAI tools, and 4% do so weekly.

This raises an important concern – as GenAI becomes more integrated into our workflows, are we unknowingly exposing our most valuable data?

Let’s look at the growing risk of information leakage in GenAI solutions and the necessary preventions for a safe and responsible AI implementation.

What Is Data Leakage in Generative AI?

Data leakage in Generative AI refers to the unauthorized exposure or transmission of sensitive information through interactions with GenAI tools. This can happen in various ways, from users inadvertently copying and pasting confidential data into prompts to the AI model itself memorizing and potentially revealing snippets of sensitive information.

For example, a GenAI-powered chatbot interacting with an entire company database might accidentally disclose sensitive details in its responses. Gartner’s report highlights the significant risks associated with data leakage in GenAI applications. It shows the need for implementing data management and security protocols to prevent compromising information such as private data.

The Perils of Data Leakage in GenAI

Data leakage is a serious challenge to the safety and overall implementation of a GenAI. Unlike traditional data breaches, which often involve external hacking attempts, data leakage in GenAI can be accidental or unintentional. As Bloomberg reported, a Samsung internal survey found that a concerning 65% of respondents viewed generative AI as a security risk. This brings attention to the poor security of systems due to user error and a lack of awareness.

Image source: REVEALING THE TRUE GENAI DATA EXPOSURE RISK

The impacts of data breaches in GenAI go beyond mere economic damage. Sensitive information, such as financial data, personal identifiable information (PII), and even source code or confidential business plans, can be exposed through interactions with GenAI tools. This can lead to negative results such as reputational damage and financial losses.

Consequences of Data Leakage for Businesses

Data leakage in GenAI can trigger different consequences for businesses, impacting their reputation and legal standing. Here is the breakdown of the key risks:

Loss of Intellectual Property

GenAI models can unintentionally memorize and potentially leak sensitive data they were trained on. This may include trade secrets, source code, and confidential business plans, which rival companies can use against the company.

Breach of Customer Privacy & Trust

Customer data entrusted to a company, such as financial information, personal details, or healthcare records, could be exposed through GenAI interactions. This can result in identity theft, financial loss on the customer’s end, and the decline of brand reputation.

Regulatory & Legal Consequences

Data leakage can violate data protection regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, resulting in fines and potential lawsuits. Businesses may also face legal action from customers whose privacy was compromised.

Reputational Damage

News of a data leak can severely damage a company’s reputation. Clients may choose not to do business with a company perceived as insecure, which will result in a loss of profit and, hence, a decline in brand value.

Case Study: Data Leak Exposes User Information in Generative AI App

In March 2023, OpenAI, the company behind the popular generative AI app ChatGPT, experienced a data breach caused by a bug in an open-source library they relied on. This incident forced them to temporarily shut down ChatGPT to address the security issue. The data leak exposed a concerning detail – some users’ payment information was compromised. Additionally, the titles of active user chat history became visible to unauthorized individuals.

Challenges in Mitigating Data Leakage Risks

Dealing with data leakage risks in GenAI environments holds unique challenges for organizations. Here are some key obstacles:

1. Lack of Understanding and Awareness

Since GenAI is still evolving, many organizations do not understand its potential data leakage risks. Employees may not be aware of proper protocols for handling sensitive data when interacting with GenAI tools.

2. Inefficient Security Measures

Traditional security solutions designed for static data may not effectively safeguard GenAI’s dynamic and complex workflows. Integrating robust security measures with existing GenAI infrastructure can be a complex task.

3. Complexity of GenAI Systems

The inner workings of GenAI models can be unclear, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly where and how data leakage might occur. This complexity causes problems in implementing the targeted policies and effective strategies.

Why AI Leaders Should Care

Data leakage in GenAI isn’t just a technical hurdle. Instead, it’s a strategic threat that AI leaders must address. Ignoring the risk will affect your organization, your customers, and the AI ecosystem.

The surge in the adoption of GenAI tools such as ChatGPT has prompted policymakers and regulatory bodies to draft governance frameworks. Strict security and data protection are being increasingly adopted due to the rising concern about data breaches and hacks. AI leaders put their own companies in danger and hinder the responsible progress and deployment of GenAI by not addressing data leakage risks.

AI leaders have a responsibility to be proactive. By implementing robust security measures and controlling interactions with GenAI tools, you can minimize the risk of data leakage. Remember, secure AI is good practice and the foundation for a thriving AI future.

Proactive Measures to Minimize Risks

Data leakage in GenAI doesn’t have to be a certainty. AI leaders may greatly lower risks and create a safe environment for adopting GenAI by taking active measures. Here are some key strategies:

1. Employee Training and Policies

Establish clear policies outlining proper data handling procedures when interacting with GenAI tools. Offer training to educate employees on best data security practices and the consequences of data leakage.

2. Strong Security Protocols and Encryption

Implement robust security protocols specifically designed for GenAI workflows, such as data encryption, access controls, and regular vulnerability assessments. Always go for solutions that can be easily integrated with your existing GenAI infrastructure.

3. Routine Audit and Assessment

Regularly audit and assess your GenAI environment for potential vulnerabilities. This proactive approach allows you to identify and address any data security gaps before they become critical issues.

The Future of GenAI: Secure and Thriving

Generative AI offers great potential, but data leakage can be a roadblock. Organizations can deal with this challenge simply by prioritizing proper security measures and employee awareness. A secure GenAI environment can pave the way for a better future where businesses and users can benefit from the power of this AI technology.

For a guide on safeguarding your GenAI environment and to learn more about AI technologies, visit Unite.ai.