IT General
3 more new-this-month Paramount+ movies to watch this week (June 15-21)
Now that Paramount+'s massive UFC event, which was broadcast live from the White House lawn Sunday night, is done and dusted, it's back to the streaming service's regularly scheduled programming, which, for this post, means movies, movies, movies. Luckily, there's still a lot to tap into for the rest of June, if you're looking for something good to watch this week.
That book idea in your notes app could finally become reality with this $40 tool
TL;DR: Get creating with this lifetime subscription to the EbookMagic Starter Plan and make all your book ideas come to life for just $39.99 (reg. $149).
Opens in a new window Credit: EbookMagic EbookMagic Starter Plan: Lifetime Subscription $39.99$149 Save $109.01 Get Deal
Some people collect books, but do you collect book ideas? If you’re filled with concepts but short on time, you need EbookMagic. This AI-powered tool turns your book concepts into completed manuscripts in minutes, and right now, you can lock in a lifetime subscription to the EbookMagic Starter Plan for only $39.99.
Finishing a book is an impressive endeavor, one that used to take months, if not years. It also used to involve outsourcing numerous tasks — from designing a cover and editing the manuscript to hiring someone to record the audiobook — but EbookMagic makes the process easier than ever.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!If you have lots of book ideas, EbookMagic is ready to make them a reality. Just provide a title, genre, and a few key details, and let this tool take over. It supports 15 different genres, from fiction and non-fiction to romance, self-help, and more.
Pick from 12 professional writing styles with different tones to vary up your project. If you’re inspired by a certain author’s style, it can even adapt your content to their writing, too.
Once you’ve created your book, it’s time to customize it. Design a custom cover image, turn it into a professional-sounding audiobook powered by AI voices, and export a ready-to-use file for publishing, sharing, or use in a personal project.
Your lifetime subscription lets you create five eBooks every month, with up to 500,000 words per book. You will also get up to 50 cover generations, commercial usage rights, and no watermarks.
Lock in this lifetime subscription to the EbookMagic Starter Plan for only $39.99 today.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Get the full Office Pro 2021 suite for a one-time $33 payment
TL;DR: Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is down to $32.97, giving Windows users lifetime access to the essential Office apps for about $187 less than the usual price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $32.97$219.99 Save $187.02 Get Deal
Let’s talk about a rarity in life: software you can pay for once and actually own for life. That’s what you’re getting with Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows — a full productivity suite with no monthly fees, no auto-renewal traps, and no relying on the cloud to get things done.
For just $32.97, you’ll unlock lifetime access to the entire lineup of essential Office apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Teams, Publisher, and Access. Whether you’re a student, small business owner, side hustler, or spreadsheet enthusiast, it’s all here — without the bloat and recurring costs of other productivity services.
And yes, you can use these offline.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!rom that charming Airbnb in the woods, your tools are still at your fingertips. The interface is familiar, but optimized — think faster load times, smarter layouts, and an updated ribbon design that actually helps you find what you’re looking for.
There’s no subscription, no “basic” tier, and no nagging alerts reminding you to “upgrade.” Just a one-time license installed on your device that gives you what you need — permanently.
Also worth noting: this version is not linked to your Microsoft account, so everything lives locally on your machine. Translation? Less fuss, more function.
So if you’re tired of renting your software or counting down the days until your trial expires, grab this deal and get back to doing what matters — at home or at work — with tools you actually trust.
Pick up a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows while it’s just $32.97 (reg. $219.99).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
3 months of ChatGPT costs what ChatOn charges for 3 years of GPT, Claude, and Gemini
TL;DR: ChatOn AI Assistant Premium gives you access to GPT, Claude, Gemini, Sonar, and more in one app for $69.99 (regularly $119.99).
Opens in a new window Credit: AIBY ChatOn Multi-AI Assistant Premium Plan (3-Year Subscription) $69.99$119.99 Save $50 Get Deal
Most people paying for AI tools in 2026 have quietly ended up with two or three subscriptions running simultaneously. ChatGPT for one thing, Claude for another, maybe Gemini on top of that. It happens gradually, and then suddenly you’re spending $60 a month just to have the right tool for whatever you’re working on. The ChatOn AI Assistant Premium three-year subscription is $69.99 right now (regularly $119.99) — roughly what you’d spend in a single month across those three subscriptions separately.
To be straight with you about what you’re getting: ChatOn isn’t a direct replacement for a ChatGPT Plus or Claude Pro account. You won’t get day-one access to every lab-specific feature. What you do get is paid-tier access to GPT-5, GPT-4o, Claude 4.5 Sonnet, Gemini 2.5 Pro, and Perplexity Sonar in one app — more capable than the free versions, without the tab switching. Most users report never hitting the daily usage caps in normal use.
Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!It’s also worth noting how ChatOn differs from other consolidation apps. Unlike credit-based platforms, where unused monthly credits just disappear, ChatOn runs on a flat subscription. Your access doesn’t shrink based on how much you used last Tuesday.
All AI features on a single platform:
Real-time web search with cited sources
AI image generation and video creation
Document summarization and PDF support
OCR text extraction from images
Translation tools and voice input
100+ pre-built prompts for common tasks
Dedicated native iOS and Android app with cross-platform sync
Lovie Award winner for Best User Experience
100 million+ downloads, 4.7 App Store rating across 268K reviews
Three years of confirmed access from an app that 100 million people actually use is a pretty solid guarantee. When something has a 4.7 App Store rating across 268,000 reviews, it’s not because the marketing was good, it’s because the product works and people keep coming back to it.
Get the ChatOn AI Assistant Premium three-year subscription for $69.99 right now (regularly $119.99).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
How to watch Iran vs. New Zealand online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Iran vs. New Zealand in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally here. We've got weeks of top international football from the best sides in the world to enjoy. What a time to be alive.
Iran face off against New Zealand in Group G. Belgium and Egypt make up the rest of this competitive group, so if Iran and New Zealand want to push towards the knockout rounds, they'll need a positive result in this opening game. Every game in this prestigious tournament is important, but the stakes are particularly high at the SoFi Stadium.
If you want to watch Iran vs. New Zealand in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Iran vs. New Zealand?Iran vs. New Zealand in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on June 15. This fixture takes place at the SoFi Stadium.
How to watch Iran vs. New Zealand for freeIran vs. New Zealand in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Iran vs. New Zealand for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Watch Iran vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Iran vs. New Zealand (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream Iran vs. New Zealand in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
Prime Day isnt here yet, but these 3 noise-cancelling headphones are already at record prices
Amazon Prime Day is (nearly) upon us once more, but the retailer isn't making you wait for savings if noise-cancelling headphones are on your wishlist. In fact, some of our favorite noise-cancelling audio products are already at record prices.
The four-day sale doesn't officially kick off until June 23, but as of June 15, deals on flagship models from Sony, Bose, and Apple are already available. And it's not just the $400+ flagship headphones getting discounts. The mid-range Nothing Headphone (a) are down to $151, while one of our budget-friendly favorites, the JLab JBuds Lux ANC, is just $10 away from its record low price.
SEE ALSO: Amazon announces dates for a 4-day Prime Day sale in late June: Everything you need to knowEarbuds have an impressive showing too, with the AirPods Pro 3 down to a record-low price ahead of the sale's start, plus markdowns on the newer Sony XM6 buds. You can also pick up the CMF by Nothing Buds 2 for just $23.27, making them the cheapest option on our list.
All this to say, if you're looking to shop early, there are some early Prime Day deals we can genuinely recommend. We'll be updating this guide as we approach the sale, but for now, check out the top deals so far.
Best ANC headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 $398 at Amazon$459.99 Save $61.99 Get Deal Why we like it
The Sony XM6 headphones aren't a must-upgrade if you already own the XM5s — in fact, we find the two quite similar. That said, the XM6 headphones are a much more palatable upgrade at a sub-$400 price range, and bring the added convenience of folding ear cups, which is especially handy if you anticipate using them for travel often (which their excellent ANC does make them a great candidate for). At the time of writing, this sale price applies to all five of their colorways, including the newly released sandstone.
Read our full review on the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.
More ANC headphones dealsJLab JBuds Lux ANC — $49.95 $79.95 (save $30)
CMF BY Nothing Headphone Pro — $65 $99 (save $24)
Sony WH-CH720N — $98 $179.99 (save $81.99)
Sony ULT Wear — $144.95 $249.99 (save $105.04)
Nothing Headphone (a) — $151.05 $199 (save $47.95)
Beats Studio Pro — $169.95 $199.95 (save $30)
Nothing Headphone (1) — $213.75 $299 (save $85.25)
Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278 $399.99 (save $121.99)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra — $329 $429 (save $100)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra, 2nd gen — $379 $449 (save $70)
Apple AirPods Max 2 — $499 $549 (save $50)
$249 Save $70 Get Deal Why we like it
The AirPods Pro have long been a great choice for any Apple power user, and the third generation of the earbuds is no different. In fact, it fills even more gaps than its predecessors. In addition to its solid sound quality and top notch ANC, these earbuds come in with live translation features, and a built-in heart rate monitor. At their full price, they're already on the cheaper end of premium flagship earbuds, but at $179, they're both at their lowest price ever and a nearly unbeatable value.
Read our full review of the Apple AirPods Pro 3.
More earbuds dealsCMF By Nothing Buds 2 — $23.27 $49 (save $25.73)
Nothing Ear (3) — $128.25 $179 (save $50.75)
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — $199.95 $249.99 (save $50.04)
Technics EAH-AZ100 — $232.99 $299.99 (save $67)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) — $249 $299 (save $50)
Sony WF-1000XM6 — $298 $329.99 (save $31.99)
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 — $449 $499 (save $50)
Xbox executives depart while Compulsion Games shuts down
Corporate leadership changes rarely come without internal shakeups, reorganizations, and layoffs, and Xbox appears to be going through that right now.
Just a few months after longtime Xbox head Phil Spencer left the company and former AI executive Asha Sharma was put in charge, the gaming world received a duet of news stories from Xbox that paint a bleak picture of the internal state of Microsoft's gaming division. To start, news came on Monday morning that Xbox Game Studios head Craig Duncan and chief of staff Louise O'Connor had departed the company, per The Game Business. Then, a few hours later, Kotaku reported that Compulsion Games, developer of 2025 critical darling South of Midnight, was going through the process of being shut down.
SEE ALSO: The biggest announcements from the June 2026 Nintendo DirectIt should be noted that this is very much a developing situation. Xbox has not officially confirmed the shutdown of Compulsion, and Kotaku reporter Rebekah Valentine noted on social media that studio leadership is in some sort of "negotations" with Microsoft over the fate of the development team. However, at least one Compulsion employee posted on social media today that they are looking for work.
Still, even with as much as we don't know right now, it doesn't feel like speculation to say things are difficult at Xbox right now, despite company leadership painting a more rosy picture publicly in recent months. For example, Xbox has been teasing its next console, dubbed "Project Helix," since March. The device was first hinted at in an interview with Mashable last year, and more recently, Xbox has sent Project Helix merch to some influencers and content creators. Xbox also recently started walking back its policy of allowing some first-party games to release on competing platforms, which could arguably be seen as a way to win the hearts and minds of longtime Xbox devotees.
Those gestures suggest that Microsoft is serious about the future of the Xbox brand, but more layoffs are also widely expected to come in the near future, per Bloomberg. Broadly speaking, Xbox has had a difficult time maintaining a steady cadence of game releases in recent years, and studio closures and layoffs are unlikely to help with that in the short term. There's also the longer-term question of the company's reputation among consumers; between game cancelations, studio closures, and Xbox's prominent place on the BDS boycott list due to Microsoft's relationship with the Israeli military, anecdotally I can say several people I know have sworn off of Xbox products for the time being.
It will be interesting to see if anything that happens over the next year or two can change that trend.
This Hyundai hybrid gets better highway mpg than the Prius and costs $3,000 less
The Toyota Prius arrived in the United States in 2000 and spent the next 25 years becoming the textbook definition of a hybrid car. It was the first mass-produced hybrid most Americans ever saw, and its name became synonymous with fuel efficiency in a way that no other car has matched.
3 excellent Netflix movies to get you through the week (June 15-21)
Netflix can sometimes do a really great job at making you feel like there's nothing to watch, even though it has a cavernous library of movies and TV shows to keep you busy scrolling for a lifetime. Unless it's top of the Netflix charts or top of the streaming service's algorithmically-decided offerings—The Four Seasons, the Michael Jackson doc, and Office Romance are in everyone's face, currently—the problem was never too few options; it's finding the right ones.
Ford teases its $30,000 EV pickup truck with a 'hidden' website
Manufacturers are frequently reluctant to talk about camouflaged prototype cars, but not Ford. The Blue Oval has launched a 'hidden' website for its $30,000 electric pickup truck that offers a very early glimpse of the affordable EV.
How to watch France vs. Senegal online for free
TL;DR: Live stream France vs. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be absolutely electric. Most of the drama will be reserved for the knockout rounds, but that doesn't mean we aren't getting huge games in the group stage.
Take France vs. Senegal, for example. It's one of the favorites to win the competition against a special Senegal team that some argue won AFCON earlier this year. Could Senegal turn back the clock and beat France in the group stage like they did in the opening match of the 2002 tournament? What a story that would be.
If you want to watch France vs. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is France vs. Senegal?France vs. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on June 16. This fixture takes place at the MetLife Stadium.
How to watch France vs. Senegal for freeFrance vs. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.
BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream France vs. Senegal for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit BBC iPlayer
Watch France vs. Senegal for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream France vs. Senegal (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream France vs. Senegal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay online for free
TL;DR: Live stream Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Group H in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is likely to be dominated by Spain and Uruguay, but don't count out Saudi Arabia. In this expanded tournament, the eight best third-placed teams will progress to the knockouts rounds. That very much opens the door to Saudi Arabia.
Uruguay will be relying on star names likes Federico Valverde, Manuel Ugarte, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Darwin Nunez. That's the sort of talent that could take Marcelo Bielsa's side into the latter stages.
If you want to watch Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay?Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off at 6 p.m. ET on June 15. This fixture takes place at the Hard Rock Stadium.
How to watch Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay for freeSaudi Arabia vs. Uruguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.
ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to live stream the 2026 World Cup for free from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay for free by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Watch Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the 2026 World Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay (plus more World Cup fixtures) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming services from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including the UK
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure
Fast connection speeds free from throttling
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Live stream Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.
Forget the Toyota RAV4 —This luxurious Audi is packed with tech and costs less
The rising cost of new vehicles is changing the way many buyers shop. What was once considered mainstream transportation now often carries a price tag well into the $30,000 range, prompting more people to explore the used market. For the same money as a brand-new compact SUV, buyers can now access vehicles that originally competed in an entirely different class.
Porn company can sue Meta for torrenting its adult films for AI training, judge rules
A federal judge has denied Meta's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit claiming it violated copyright law by torrenting (illegally downloading) porn to train its AI.
On June 11, U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee filed the order, stating that porn holding company, Strike 3 Holdings, and Counterlife Media (in which Strike 3 has a majority ownership interest), "have plausibly alleged that [Meta] is liable for direct, vicarious, and contributatory copyright infringement based on the torrenting of their films."
SEE ALSO: EU orders Meta to restore free access to AI rivals in WhatsAppStrike 3 Holdings, which owns several popular porn sites like Blacked, according to 404 Media, first filed the lawsuit in July 2025. Strike 3 Holdings and Counterlife Media alleged that, between 2018 and 2025, Meta infringed on more than 2,300 copyrighted pornographic movies by downloading them to train its AI models. Meta is alleged to have used the popular torrenting program BitTorrent.
IP addresses that trace back to Meta's corporate offices acted "consistently in non-human patterns," the suit states, "involving mass infringement beyond what a human could consume." The companies are seeking damages up to $359 million.
Meta filed the motion to dismiss against the Strike 3 lawsuit in Oct., denying the claims and stating that they were "nonsensical and unsupported" and that the porn downloads were for "personal use." But in the order denying the motion, Lee remarked on the download patterns, such as the IP addresses torrenting similar files with the same name, all in one day, from cartoons to porn. "It strains credulity to suggest that these correlations are mere coincidence and the product of individual human selections," Lee wrote.
Now, the lawsuit can proceed.
Strike 3 and Counterlife Media became aware of Meta's BitTorrent activity through press coverage of the Jan. 2025 lawsuit against Meta. Discovery in that case revealed that the company pirated books for AI training. In June 2025, Meta won the case. However, as Mashable reported at the time, the judge in that case wrote that the plaintiffs may have been successful if they had made different legal arguments, leaving the door open for suits such as this one.
Mashable has reached out to Meta for comment.
Porn company can sue Meta for torrenting its adult films for AI training, judge rules
A federal judge has denied Meta's attempt to dismiss a lawsuit claiming it violated copyright law by torrenting (illegally downloading) porn to train its AI.
On June 11, U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee filed the order, stating that porn holding company, Strike 3 Holdings, and Counterlife Media (in which Strike 3 has a majority ownership interest), "have plausibly alleged that [Meta] is liable for direct, vicarious, and contributatory copyright infringement based on the torrenting of their films."
SEE ALSO: EU orders Meta to restore free access to AI rivals in WhatsAppStrike 3 Holdings, which owns several popular porn sites like Blacked, according to 404 Media, first filed the lawsuit in July 2025. Strike 3 Holdings and Counterlife Media alleged that, between 2018 and 2025, Meta infringed on more than 2,300 copyrighted pornographic movies by downloading them to train its AI models. Meta is alleged to have used the popular torrenting program BitTorrent.
IP addresses that trace back to Meta's corporate offices acted "consistently in non-human patterns," the suit states, "involving mass infringement beyond what a human could consume." The companies are seeking damages up to $359 million.
Meta filed the motion to dismiss against the Strike 3 lawsuit in Oct., denying the claims and stating that they were "nonsensical and unsupported" and that the porn downloads were for "personal use." But in the order denying the motion, Lee remarked on the download patterns, such as the IP addresses torrenting similar files with the same name, all in one day, from cartoons to porn. "It strains credulity to suggest that these correlations are mere coincidence and the product of individual human selections," Lee wrote.
Now, the lawsuit can proceed.
Strike 3 and Counterlife Media became aware of Meta's BitTorrent activity through press coverage of the Jan. 2025 lawsuit against Meta. Discovery in that case revealed that the company pirated books for AI training. In June 2025, Meta won the case. However, as Mashable reported at the time, the judge in that case wrote that the plaintiffs may have been successful if they had made different legal arguments, leaving the door open for suits such as this one.
Mashable has reached out to Meta for comment.
After FIFA covered up Levis logo for the World Cup, the company changed its Instagram profile picture
Levi's, the iconic 153-year-old denim brand, is going viral over a bizarre incident at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA rules forced a cover-up the Levi's logo, which is part of the name and signage of a California stadium, before a World Cup match.
And now Levi's is covering up its logo on its Instagram profile, too.
Levi's is going all in on the coverup and has covered its logo on its Instagram profile too. Credit: Mashable screenshotLevi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, hosted its first World Cup match between Switzerland and Qatar this past Saturday. However, during the World Cup, it's not known as Levi's Stadium. It's temporarily called the "San Francisco Bay Area Stadium." As part of FIFA's requirements for stadiums hosting the 2026 World Cup matches, Levi's was forced to cover the logo on the 68,000-person venue. FIFA required any brands found in the stadiums to be covered up if they aren't official sponsors of the World Cup.
However, unlike the other 11 NFL stadiums that were required to do the same, Levi's got creative with its forced cover-up.
Unlike, say, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which just put up banners over the MetLife logo, Levi's instead wrapped a tight-fitting white tarp over its logo, which is still recognizable even though the name is obscured.
The brand also poked fun at the move in an Instagram Reel.
View this post on Instagram"Welcoming the world to the beautiful [redacted] stadium!" Levi's said in a Reel posted to their Instagram account on Sunday. The video shows the covered-up Levi's Stadium logo using the viral TikTok audio, "Nobody's Gonna Know."
But Levi's just took it a step further, too. The company has now also digitally covered the Levi's logo in its Instagram profile picture with a white tarp.
So for now, whether it's on Instagram or at the World Cup stadium in Santa Clara, Levi's will go by [redacted], the iconic denim jeans brand that everyone knows.
After FIFA covered up Levis logo for the World Cup, the company changed its Instagram profile picture
Levi's, the iconic 153-year-old denim brand, is going viral over a bizarre incident at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA rules forced a cover-up the Levi's logo, which is part of the name and signage of a California stadium, before a World Cup match.
And now Levi's is covering up its logo on its Instagram profile, too.
Levi's is going all in on the coverup and has covered its logo on its Instagram profile too. Credit: Mashable screenshotLevi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, hosted its first World Cup match between Switzerland and Qatar this past Saturday. However, during the World Cup, it's not known as Levi's Stadium. It's temporarily called the "San Francisco Bay Area Stadium." As part of FIFA's requirements for stadiums hosting the 2026 World Cup matches, Levi's was forced to cover the logo on the 68,000-person venue. FIFA required any brands found in the stadiums to be covered up if they aren't official sponsors of the World Cup.
However, unlike the other 11 NFL stadiums that were required to do the same, Levi's got creative with its forced cover-up.
Unlike, say, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which just put up banners over the MetLife logo, Levi's instead wrapped a tight-fitting white tarp over its logo, which is still recognizable even though the name is obscured.
The brand also poked fun at the move in an Instagram Reel.
View this post on Instagram"Welcoming the world to the beautiful [redacted] stadium!" Levi's said in a Reel posted to their Instagram account on Sunday. The video shows the covered-up Levi's Stadium logo using the viral TikTok audio, "Nobody's Gonna Know."
But Levi's just took it a step further, too. The company has now also digitally covered the Levi's logo in its Instagram profile picture with a white tarp.
So for now, whether it's on Instagram or at the World Cup stadium in Santa Clara, Levi's will go by [redacted], the iconic denim jeans brand that everyone knows.
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