Technology
Incogni just dropped its data removal plans by 58% — heres what you need to know
An advertiser paid for editorial consideration of this deal. Our editorial experts vetted the deal based on our independent expertise. Because we determined that the deal will save money for the consumer, we wrote the content.
SAVE 58%: From Aug. 18-31, Incogni's annual data removal plans are on sale for 58% off.
Opens in a new window Credit: Incogni Incogni Save 58% on Incogni's annual data removal plans through Aug. 31. Get DealSomewhere out there, a website you never signed up for has your home address. You didn't put it there. A data broker did, and it's a lot bigger than most people realize. Incogni is one of the better-known services designed to fix it, and its annual plans are 58% off from Aug. 18-31.
Incogni tracks your online info and files removal requests on your behalf, so your name stops circulating across the sites that collect it.
The service automatically contacts more than 420 data brokers, including people-search sites and health, employment, and financial databases. It also resubmits removal requests to people-search sites every 60 days to make sure your info doesn't creep back online after it's gone.
From Aug. 18, every annual plan is 58% off:
Standard — $6.79/month (down from $7.99/month)
Unlimited — $12.74/month (down from $14.99.month)
Family (5 users) — $13.59/month (down from $15.99.month)
Family Unlimited (5 users) — $19.54/month (down from $22.99.month)
Protect (Incogni + Coveron) — $17.63/month (down from $20.74.month)
Incogni's Unlimited-tier plans — Unlimited, Family Unlimited, and Protect — also unlock a couple of newer features: an Exposure Scanner that continuously hunts down where your data shows up online, and a monthly Risk Assessment that breaks down your exposure across physical safety, privacy, and scam risk.
The Protect plan goes a step further, bundling in identity-theft insurance, credit and dark-web monitoring, real-time breach alerts, up to $10K toward losses from online scams, and an identity-restoration case manager, through Incogni's partner, Coveron.
Every plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there's a safety net if it's not for you.
Your data's been floating around for free this whole time — might as well deal with it while it's 58% off.
How to watch the 2026 Vuelta a España online for free
TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Vuelta a España for free on SBS on Demand. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The huge news from the world of cycling is that Tadej Pogačar is set to compete in this year's Vuelta a España.
That's certainly bad news for anyone looking to battle it out for top spot in the general classification. It might also be bad news for fans hoping for competitive racing, such is the dominance that Pogačar is displaying right now. Can anyone compete with the Tour de France winner? It'll take something special to stop Pogačar from claiming the only Grand Tour he's yet to win.
If you want to watch the 2026 Vuelta a España for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the Vuelta a España?The Vuelta a España is an annual multi-stage bicycle race primarily held in Spain. The Vuelta is the third and final grand tour of the 2026 men's road cycling season, following the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.
The defending general classification champion is Jonas Vingegaard.
When is the 2026 Vuelta a España?The 2026 Vuelta a España is the 81st edition of the three-week cycling race. This year's event will start on Aug. 22 in Monaco and end on Sept. 13 in Granada.
How to watch the 2026 Vuelta a España for freeThe 2026 Vuelta a España is available to live stream for free on SBS on Demand. You can watch all 21 stages live and free, plus stream stage replays, mini stages, and highlights.
SBS on Demand is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access it for free with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can live stream on SBS on Demand from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2026 Vuelta a España for free by following these simple steps:
Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 Australia
Connect to SBS on Demand
Watch the 2026 Vuelta a España from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free. However, leading VPNs tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By using these offers, you can watch the 2026 Vuelta a España without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to watch every stage of the Vuelta a España before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming platforms, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for SBS on Demand?ExpressVPN is the top choice for streaming live sport on SBS on Demand, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries, including Australia
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
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 — 80% 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 a money-back guarantee).
Watch the 2026 Vuelta a España for free with ExpressVPN.
How to watch the Premier League online for free
TL;DR: Live stream select Premier League fixtures for free on CazéTV. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
We've been treated to some truly special sporting moments this summer, but nothing really came close to the 2026 World Cup. This tournament delivered in so many ways: we saw huge performances from big names like Haaland, we got shock results like Cape Verde stealing a draw from eventual champions Spain, and there was heaps of controversy, as usual.
Now that domestic seasons are returning, are we fatigued from a summer of sport? Absolutely not. We're impatient for rivalries to be renewed in some of the most competitive leagues in the world. And if we're talking truly unpredictable action from elite clubs in incredibly passionate stadiums, it's tough to beat the Premier League.
How will Arsenal cope with the pressure of being champions? Will Manchester City bounce back from the loss of iconic manager Pep Guardiola? Can Manchester United finally recapture some of their former glories? There are so many questions to be answered as the Premier League returns.
If you want to watch the 2026-27 Premier League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What is the Premier League?The Premier League is the highest level of the English football league system. The league is contested by 20 clubs, with each team playing 38 fixtures: two against each other, one home and one away.
The defending champions are Arsenal.
When is the Premier League?The opening match round of the 2026/27 Premier League season will start on Aug. 21. The season runs until the final round of fixtures on May 30.
How to watch the Premier League for freeCazéTV will be showing select Premier League fixtures for free on their YouTube channel.
These free live streams are geo-restricted to Brazil, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Brazil, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Premier League from anywhere in the world.
Access free live streams of the 2026-27 Premier League by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 Brazil
Visit CazéTV
Watch Premier League fixtures for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the Premier League without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch select fixtures (plus coverage of Ligue 1 and La Liga) before recovering your investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free live streams all season, you will need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for CazeTV?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream for free on CazéTV, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
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 — 80% 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 a money-back guarantee).
Live stream the Premier League for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Reddit is testing AI-generated videos that read text posts aloud
Reddit is testing a new feature that uses AI to convert text posts to video and audio.
Rolling out from Monday in web browsers, the feature hopes to capitalise on the popularity of videos that read Reddit posts aloud. The AI-generated videos will expand to iOS and Android on Tuesday.
Though currently restricted to a few manually selected English-language posts in designated subreddits, Reddit plans to eventually broaden the trial further.
SEE ALSO: Reddit is ramping up its AI moderation tools. Moderators aren't happy."The experiment uses AI to create new audio and video formats and bring real human conversations to life, including multi-voice text-to-speech, captions, and visual template," a Reddit spokesperson said, confirming the test to Mashable.
Fortunately, this test doesn't mean you'll be forced to ingest your favourite subreddits in video form. The original text posts and comments will still be available in their usual format, allowing you to choose whether to read or listen to the content.
Credit: Mashable screenshot: RedditPosts with this new feature available will have a toggle appear above them, allowing users to switch between "Read" and "Play." While "Read" displays the Reddit post and comments as normal, switching to "Play" produces a video in a TikTok-style portrait orientation. An AI-generated voice reads out both the post and select comments, displaying the text and lighting up words like a karaoke video, while a note below the video states that it is a "Real conversation voiced by AI."
"We are testing whether these formats are useful and how Reddit can authentically scale these experiences, with the goal of understanding how different conversation formats can make Reddit more accessible and immersive in more moments," Reddit said in a statement. "Someone might want to listen to Reddit while exercising, walking, running errands, or watch written conversations come to life through video and audio."
Credit: Mashable composite: RedditThis new AI-powered feature was previously mentioned during the company's Q2 earnings call in July, with CEO Steve Huffman noting the increasing popularity of videos and podcasts in which people read Reddit posts aloud. Though such clips are now common on video platforms like TikTok and YouTube, Reddit itself remains primarily text-based. Unsurprisingly, the social media platform now wants in on the action, aiming to use AI to cut out the middleman.
"[W]e're working on… just a video Reddit experience, so letting users not just watch video on Reddit, but listen to posts, background listen to posts," Huffman said during the earnings call. "We see folks doing this off platform. There's an emerging content type elsewhere in the internet of basically, a podcast where people read Reddit content. And so I think this version of like, listened to — or spoken — Reddit can be really engaging as well."
Reddit indicated an increased focus on video content in its Q2 shareholder letter, stating that it's working toward "reimagining how users and communities connect, share, and consume content through a modernized video experience." The company previously launched video comments in June, allowing users to record and upload short clips in response to posts. Reddit is also increasing the integration of AI into the platform, having expanded testing of its AI-powered moderation tools to all new subreddits earlier this month.
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Featured Video For You Girlbossification of AIThe Insta360 X3-360 has dropped to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $70 right now
SAVE $70: As of Aug. 18, the Insta360 X3-360 is on sale for $229.99 at Amazon. That's a 23% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Insta360 Insta360 X3-360 $229.99 at Amazon$299.99 Save $70 Get Deal
In the market for an action camera? The Insta360 X3-360 is currently on sale at Amazon, with the price dropping to a record low for a limited time. As of Aug. 18, you can pick it up for $229.99, which is $70 less than usual.
This camera is great for shooting action content, including land and water sports. It combines a 5.7K 360-degree camera with the quality of a 4K action camera, giving you more filming options. It can record 5.7K 360 Active HDR video, which you can then reframe in the Insta360 app to choose your preferred angle after recording.
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 prefer wide-angle footage, this Insta360 camera can shoot in 4K at 30fps, or use its 170-degree field of view at 2.7K and 60fps with MaxView. It also has features called FlowState Stabilization and Horizon Lock, which work together to keep videos smooth and level, even during quick movements.
With the camera, you'll also get a charging cable, a protective pouch, a lens cloth, and a user guide, along with a collection of Insta360 stickers you can use wherever you like.
Get this action camera deal at Amazon now.
The ultimate runners upgrade: Save $100 on the AMOLED Garmin Forerunner 265 at Amazon
SAVE $100: As of Aug. 18, the Garmin Forerunner 265 is on sale for $349.99 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount on the list price.
Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 265 $349.99 at Amazon$449.99 Save $100 Get Deal
Fitness trackers are a great companion to any kind of workout, but particularly for running. They can help you keep track of everything from your pace and distance to your heart rate, helping you improve over time. Garmin is one of the most popular brands in this market, with watches suitable for all skill levels and budgets. And as of Aug. 18, one of the most popular models is on sale: the Garmin Forerunner 265.
The Forerunner range is designed, as the name might suggest, for runners. It's packed with endless features to help you track, recover, and run better. And it's currently $100 off, bringing the price down to $349.99. It comes in several color options: black and powder gray, aqua and black, and whitestone and tidal blue.
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!For tracking your activity, this watch has over 30 built-in activity profiles. It covers running, triathlons, cycling, open-water swimming, and more, so it's not just for runners. Training features also include a morning report covering sleep, recovery, and training outlook, as well as a training readiness score based on your sleep, recovery, training load, and HRV status. And if you're training for a race, you can even enter the race and course in the Garmin Connect app to get personalized plans and workouts.
All of these features come packaged in a nifty 46mm design, with a bright AMOLED touchscreen and traditional button controls.
You can find this Garmin deal at Amazon right now.
Boox tablets and e-readers are on sale at Amazon — save up to $70 this week
It's time to get ready for cozy season. Crisp fall air will be here in just a few weeks. If you have plans to spend the fall and winter catching up on books, sketching, or working on other creative projects, the Boox back-to-school sale could be a savior.
SEE ALSO: A new small but mighty Boox e-reader is on the wayThe brand makes some of the most versatile e-ink tablets and e-readers. The sale extends to the brand's own website as well as its Amazon storefront. Plenty of models are included in the sale, and most bundle the brand's Tappy Wireless Page Turner. Unlike Kindle, Boox has its own page-turner device, so you don't have to readjust with every page turn.
Keep in mind, Boox says these deals will disappear on Aug. 23, so it's best to shop soon to get the best selection.
Best overall deal Opens in a new window Credit: Boox Boox Palma2 Pro Tappy Bundle with case $404.92 at Amazon$454.97 Save $50.05 Get Deal Why we like it
The Boox Palma2 Pro is a palm-sized e-reader that gives you great portability. The 6-inch display is perfect for travel, evening reading, or taking back and forth to campus. The Boox Palma2 Pro uses the brand's Kaleido three-color display, which doesn't emit blue light. The 128GB of storage provides plenty of room for books, magazines, and other downloaded content. There's also a built-in speaker.
The bundle includes a magnetic case and the new Boox Tappy Remote Wireless Page Turner.
AirPods with cameras leak in new video
AirPods with built-in cameras have been the subject of rumors for years, but now we have evidence that Apple is really working on these, and that they're probably coming very soon.
The latest macOS Tahoe 26.7 beta contains a video that shows the device in action (via MacRumors). The short video demos how a user could save real-life visuals using Apple's Visual Intelligence with the help of AirPods.
SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone Ultra might have a staggered, country-by-country rolloutIn the video, a man wearing AirPods (and seemingly no other wearable) looks at a book. "With Visual Intelligence, your world becomes saveable. See something you like? Just ask me to save it for later," a video voiceover says.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.This sort of functionality could be enabled by the built-in cameras on the AirPods, which would collect the visual data and send it over to Apple's Visual Intelligence.
Other references in macOS prove that this is indeed enabled by the camera-equipped AirPods. One note says: "To get the most accurate information about things in your environment, make sure AirPods are not covered."
Recent reports indicated that AirPods with built-in cameras will launch soon; given that Apple is likely to launch new iPhones within weeks, in early September, we're probably going to see these new AirPods launch along them.
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Get your 1st month of 5G Home Internet on T-Mobile, plus get up to $200 back as a bonus
An advertiser paid for editorial consideration of this deal. Our editorial experts vetted the deal based on our independent expertise. Because we determined that the deal will save money for the consumer, we wrote the content.
TL;DR: For a limited time, T-Mobile is offering your first month of 5G Home Internet included, plus up to $200 back via a virtual prepaid Mastercard when you sign up. Speeds vary by plan, with download speeds of 498 Mbps on the Amplified and All-In plans.
Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Get your first month of T-Mobile 5G Home Internet included, plus up to $200 back. Shop NowFor a limited time, T-Mobile has a new offer on 5G Home Internet worth checking out. This is a good time to compare T-Mobile's offering with what you're currently paying. Here's what's included:
Your first month of service on T-Mobile (via bill credit; plus tax)
Up to $200 back, delivered via virtual prepaid Mastercard (allow seven weeks from rebate submission)
T-Mobile will buy out your current internet contract, covering early termination fees up to $750, paid via virtual prepaid card (requires 60 days of service before validation)
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet comes in three tiers, with evergreen pricing when bundled with a voice line and AutoPay:
Rely Plan — $35/month, plus taxes and fees. Download speeds up to 354 Mbps, upload speeds up to 55 Mbps.
Amplified Plan — $45/month, plus taxes and fees. Download speeds of 498 Mbps, upload speeds up to 55 Mbps.
All-In Plan — $55/month, plus taxes and fees. Download speeds of 498 Mbps, upload speeds up to 55 Mbps. Also includes the TechEdge Suite (gateway upgrade, advanced cyber security, and 24/7 tech support), plus Hulu and Paramount+ Essential.
Speeds are delivered via 5G cellular network, so actual speeds may vary depending on factors affecting cellular networks. Beyond this, T-Mobile offers a five-year price guarantee on its Home Internet plans (exclusions such as taxes and fees apply), so you'll know what you're paying well into the future.
This deal is only available for a limited time, so don't sit on it too long. Explore T-Mobile's 5G Home Internet plans to find your fit.
The best meal kit delivery deals in 2026: Save on HelloFresh, Home Chef, and more
The hardest part of cooking usually isn't the cooking itself — it's figuring out what to make. Between work, errands, and everything else going on, deciding on meals for the week can feel like its own chore, especially when you're staring at the same handful of go-to dishes on repeat.
Meal kits exist to take that decision away from you entirely. The menu's already planned, the ingredients are pre-portioned, and all that's left to do is cook (or in some cases, just heat and eat). Pair that with a solid discount, and you're saving time and skipping the nightly "what's for dinner" debate entirely.
We dug through the best live deals so you don't have to — here's what's worth grabbing.
Best overall meal kit deal Opens in a new window Credit: Home Chef Home Chef Get your first Home Chef box for $4.99/serving with free shipping, then 17% off your next four boxes and 35% off the two after that — plus a free dessert with every box. Get Deal Why we like itHome Chef's meal kit deal is hard to beat on value alone: your first box comes out to $4.99 a serving with free shipping, then the discount keeps rolling — 17% off your next four boxes, and 35% off the two after that. That's seven boxes of savings, not just one.
And it doesn't stop there. You also get a free dessert with every box for as long as you stay subscribed, so the perks don't disappear once the promo pricing ends. Add in up to 30 weekly recipe choices and zero commitment — skip or cancel whenever — and it's easy to see why this is our top overall pick for meal kit deals right now.
Best meal kit deal for early risers Opens in a new window Credit: HelloFresh HelloFresh Get 10 free meals on your first HelloFresh box, plus a free breakfast item on every box for as long as you stay subscribed. Get Deal Why we like itHelloFresh's offer front-loads real savings — 10 free meals applied to your first box (based on a 4-person, 5-recipe plan; bigger plans get even more free meals). But the real hook is what comes after: a free breakfast item on every single box, for as long as your subscription stays active. It's not a one-time discount that fades after a few weeks — it's a standing perk that keeps paying off.
Just know that shipping kicks in after the first box, and if you ever cancel, the free breakfast perk is gone for good, even if you resubscribe later.
Best meal kit deal for variety Opens in a new window Credit: Marley Spoon Marley Spoon Get 40% off your first Marley Spoon box, plus free shipping — with discounts up to 20% continuing through box 5. Get Deal Why we like itMarley Spoon's discount doesn't stop after box one — it's 40% off plus free shipping on your first order (bringing a two-person, three-meal week down to $43.16 from $82.93), then 35% off box two, and smaller discounts through box five. That's five discounted boxes total, not just a one-time promo.
The menu holds up its end too: 100+ recipes weekly across meat, fish, vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, and gluten-free, plus Saver recipes if you want to trim the per-serving cost even further. And since you can skip, pause, or cancel at any time, there's no risk in trying it out.
More meal delivery kit dealsEveryPlate — Meals from $2.99/serving on your first box (two-person, three-recipe plan), plus 10% off boxes 2-5. Pause or cancel anytime. New customers only; shipping fee applies to all deliveries.
Green Chef — 50% off your first box, 15% off boxes 2-9, plus a free Staub 2-piece mixing bowl set (a $79.99 value) with your third box.
Gobble — Get your first six meals (three recipes, serves two) for $36, plus free shipping, with code RMNSHIP. New subscriptions only; applies to standard dinner kits only, first week only.
The Cumin Club — 20% off your first order, plus free shipping, for a limited time. Use code WELCOME20.
CookUnity — 50% off your first week of chef-crafted, ready-to-eat meals. Never frozen, ready to eat in two minutes.
Tovala — Free Smart Oven when you order meals six times in your first six months. Scan a QR code, and dinner's ready in 20 minutes with minimal prep.
Daily Harvest — Up to 25% off smoothie, oat bowl, and snack multipacks (no membership/promo code required, pricing varies by pack size).
Modify Health — 25% off your first order, plus free shipping, using code THRIVE25 (National Wellness Month offer).
Factor — 50% off your first box, 20% off boxes 2-5, plus a free breakfast item on every box for a year while your subscription is active. New customers only.
Try one, try a few — most of these let you cancel anytime, so there's little risk in seeing which one actually fits your week.
How to unblock ePorner for free
TL;DR: Unblock ePorner for free with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.
More than a third of U.S. states have introduced restrictions for online adult content. After the introduction of these age verification laws, some porn sites blocked users from those locations. The same situation is now taking place in other parts of the world.
So where does that leave frustrated users? Desperately seeking a solution, that's where. Fortunately, you can still access all your favorite porn sites in just a few simple steps. There's a quick and easy hack that can secure access to restricted content from any location or network. You don't need to be a skilled hacker. Anyone can follow this simple solution.
If you want to unblock porn sites like ePorner for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
How to unblock ePorner for freeVPNs can hide your real IP address and connect you to a secure server in another location. This simple process tricks porn sites into providing you with access even if there is a block in place over your network.
Unblock ePorner from anywhere in the world by following this simple process:
Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to ePorner
Connect to ePorner from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most leading services do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like ePorner without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it means you can temporarily unblock porn sites like ePorner and then recover your investment.
What is the best VPN for ePorner?ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like ePorner, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries and all 50 U.S. states
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast streaming 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).
Unblock ePorner for free with ExpressVPN.
Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on August 18
After nights of almost complete darkness, the Moon is well and truly back in the sky. Each night it will appear more illuminated to us on Earth, signalling its current phase of the lunar cycle, Waxing Crescent.
What is today’s Moon phase?As of Tuesday, Aug. 18, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waxing Crescent phase, with 33% of its surface visible.
Without any visual aids, tonight you can see the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. With binoculars you'll also be able to see the Endymion Crater. A telescope will also help you spot the Apollo 17 landing spot, the final Moon landing in the Apollo program.
When is the next Full Moon?The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.
What are Moon phases?The Moon goes through a series of phases that cause its appearance to change as seen from Earth. As the Moon orbits Earth, it goes through a lunar cycle that takes about 29.5 days to complete, according to NASA. The positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon determine how much of the Moon’s illuminated side is visible from Earth, creating its different phases. Throughout the cycle, the Moon changes from a thin crescent to a half Moon, then a Full Moon, before repeating the cycle once more.
The eight phases are:
New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).
Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).
First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.
Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.
Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.
Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)
Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.
Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.
NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 18, 2026
Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you've ever watched baseball.
As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. The sports Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words, and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes before the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: L
Green: Money spent for and at the game
Blue: US gymnasts
Purple: Sounds like Knicks
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Not Winning
Green: Purchases at a Game
Blue: Members of the "Magnificent Seven"
Purple: Ends in a Homophone for Knicks
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #694 is...
What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?Not Winning: BEHIND, DOWN, LOSING, TRAILING
Purchases at a Game: CONCESSIONS, PARKING, PROGRAM, TICKET
Members of the "Magnificent Seven": CHOW, DANIELS, MILLER, STRUG
Ends in a Homophone for Knicks: BEATNIKS, FINICKS, PENIX, PICNICS
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.
NYT Pips hints, answers for August 18, 2026
Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.
Released in August 2025, Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.
Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move on to the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.
How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity with how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 18, 2026The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible — and common — for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.
Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:
Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.
Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.
Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.
Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.
Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.
If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.
SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 18, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 18 PipsNumber (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.
Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 2-0, placed horizontally; 1-6, placed horizontally.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6 placed horizontally.
Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 18 PipsNumber (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.
Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 4-0, placed horizontally.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically; 1-3, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.
Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.
Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally.
Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically; 4-1, placed horizontally.
Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-5, placed vertically.
Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 18 PipsNumber (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.
Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 2-2, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.
Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.
Greater Than (11): Everything in this space must be greater than 11. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically.
Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 0-5, placed vertically.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.
Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.
Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.
Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.
Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.
Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 5-3, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.
Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally.
Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.
Greater Than (11): Everything in this space must be greater than 11. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 18, 2026
The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're familiar with the theater.
Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 17, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Premiere
Green: Not pajamas
Blue: Orange but not the fruit
Purple: Courageously persistent
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Here are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Seen at a Movie Premiere
Green: PJs
Blue: Things That Are Orange
Purple: Things That Are Gritty
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #1164 is...
What is the answer to Connections todaySeen at a Movie Premiere: LIMOUSINE, PAPARAZZI, RED CARPET, VELVET ROPE
PJs: PETROLEUM JELLY, POETIC JUSTICE, PRACTICAL JOKE, PRIVATE JET
Things That Are Orange: BASKETBALL, ORAGUTAN, SWEET POTATO, TRAFFIC CONE
Things That Are Gritty: COWBOY COFFEE, FILM NOIR, FLYERS MASCOT, SANDPAPER
Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 18, 2026
Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you steal things.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 17, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 18, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Removal of clothing.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.
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Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
STRIP
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.
NYT Strands hints, answers for August 18, 2026
Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you know a bit of trivia.
Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 18, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Fool me once...The words are related to being treated like a fool.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe being at the end of a prank or joke.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
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NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Charlatan.
NYT Strands word list for August 18Bamboozle
Dupe
Hoodwink
Mislead
Bilk
Deceive
Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today
Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!
Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.
From TikTok to witness list: How much can social media influence the Lindsay Clancy trial?
True-crime fandom no longer wants to watch from the sidelines; it increasingly wants in on the case.
Consider the recent lineup: TikTok helped pull the Menendez brothers back into the national conversation decades after their convictions. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation trial became daily social media programming. Luigi Mangione developed an intense internet fandom before his case even reached trial. Increasingly, audiences aren’t satisfied with following a case. They want to investigate it, influence it, and sometimes insert themselves into it.
Most of this activity unfolds outside the courtroom, where it shapes public opinion without becoming part of the official case. But that boundary is now being tested in the trial of Lindsay Clancy, the Massachusetts mother charged with murdering her three young children in Jan. 2023.
Clancy’s defense acknowledges that she killed them but argues that she was suffering from postpartum psychosis and was not criminally responsible for her actions. Online, however, some viewers have rejected both sides' accounts and begun conducting their own parallel investigation.
But it wasn’t one of their conspiracy theories that found its way into the legal proceedings. Instead, Clancy’s attorneys became interested in a video from Emily Thorndike that has amassed over 5 million views.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.The licensed independent clinical social worker had spent more than seven years working on the same short-term McLean Hospital unit where Clancy was later treated. Thorndike left McLean roughly a year before Clancy’s stay and had no firsthand knowledge of her treatment. After watching the trial, however, she posted a video challenging how prosecutors portrayed the hospital’s staffing, resources, and available care — particularly during weekends and holidays. She accused witnesses of spreading "lies and misrepresentations" about McLean.
On Aug. 11, Clancy’s defense asked the judge to add Thorndike to its witness list. The request flipped the familiar courtroom-to-TikTok pipeline on its head.
'I hardly know what TikTok is'Veteran defense attorney Kevin Reddington did not discover Thorndike while scrolling himself. According to his account during the Aug. 11 hearing, someone active in the trial’s TikTok community emailed him her video and urged him to watch it. "I hardly know what TikTok is," Reddington acknowledged.
After watching the nine-minute, 58-second video, Reddington believed Thorndike’s experience could challenge the prosecution’s claim that Clancy had access to extensive treatment at McLean but chose not to fully participate in it.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.First, Reddington had to find Thorndike. Because her account did not use her full name, his office initially struggled to identify her. His private investigator, Bob Jones, called and left messages, then waited outside her home after she did not respond for three days. Thorndike later explained that she had assumed the outreach was fake: "I thought you guys were all AI!"
Once they connected, Reddington said that Thorndike agreed to testify about the staffing and programs she had observed during her time at McLean, including as a supervisor. But that experience came with a major limitation: She left in Dec. 2021 and could not speak to the conditions Clancy personally encountered a year later.
Prosecutors objected to the late notice, noting that Thorndike was not an expert witness and had watched the trial while publicly criticizing testimony. Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham argued that her broader criticism of McLean might belong in the "court of public opinion," but not "inside the walls of this courtroom."
Judge William Sullivan agreed that Thorndike could not simply give jurors her personal rating of the hospital. "This is not TripAdvisor," he said. Still, he called the narrower question of McLean’s holiday staffing and programming a "closer call." He suggested that hospital records or someone who worked there during Clancy’s stay could provide the same information, and took the motion under advisement.
Whether or not Thorndike testifies, the episode makes one thing clear: Lawyers are no longer merely the subjects of true-crime TikTok...they’re watching it, too.
The Lindsay Clancy trial has become 'forensic fandom'Clancy, now 36, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson, and 8-month-old Callan. Prosecutors argue that she deliberately sent her ex-husband, Patrick Clancy, out of the house before carrying out a premeditated plan. Her defense says she was experiencing postpartum psychosis after being improperly treated with a rapidly changing combination of psychiatric medications.
On Aug. 17, prosecutors rested their case after calling dozens of witnesses over nearly four weeks. The defense then began presenting testimony about Clancy’s worsening mental health in the months before the killings.
Meanwhile, TikTok users have been conducting their own parallel trial. They have dissected courtroom footage, analyzed a disputed hot-mic moment, and even made thirst-trap edits of Reddington.
Others have promoted unsupported theories that Patrick killed the children and framed his then-wife.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Videos have dissected his clothing, body language, and purported inconsistencies in his testimony, while creators have treated his subsequent remarriage and move to New York as suspicious. Some have even claimed that a body double appeared at CVS in his place or suggested that he deliberately created conditions that would make Lindsay appear psychotic. None of those theories is supported by investigators’ evidence. Patrick has not been charged, and prosecutors have not indicated that he played any role in the killings. CVS surveillance footage and phone records corroborate his account that he was at the store when the killings occurred.
Katy Coduto, an assistant professor of media science at Boston University, calls this sort of online behavior "forensic fandom": People become so invested in a case that following it is no longer enough — they begin to believe they can solve it.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.That feeling is encouraged by the sheer amount of material available. Court livestreams provide hours of footage to parse, while TikTok rewards creators for finding the supposedly overlooked clue or inconsistency that will transform the entire story.
What can true-crime fandom actually change?Thorndike’s potential entry into the Clancy trial may be unusual, but she is hardly the first online figure to approach the boundary between following a case and becoming part of it. Just look at the Karen Read trials.
Aidan Kearney, the blogger known as Turtleboy, spent years arguing that Read had been framed in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. By 2026, he had published more than 550 blog posts in his "Canton Cover-Up" series, along with hundreds of livestreams accusing witnesses and law enforcement officials of participating in a conspiracy. His coverage and "Free Karen Read" rallies helped turn Read’s claim of innocence into a grassroots movement that spread across Massachusetts and beyond.
Kearney was then charged with witness intimidation over his alleged treatment of people connected to the investigation — charges he denied. A judge required him to leave the courtroom during testimony from certain witnesses. Prosecutors later received permission to examine his communications with Read as possible evidence. Kearney was also placed on a potential witness list and invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when questioned before Read’s second trial.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Read was ultimately acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter in June 2025, though she was convicted of drunken driving. There’s no way to know how much the online movement influenced that outcome. But it undeniably changed everything surrounding the trial — including Kearney’s place in it.
High-profile trials have always been spectaclesMost creators don’t get quite that close to the action. More often, they act as an unofficial press corps for audiences following cases from their phones. During Sean "Diddy" Combs’ federal criminal trial, cameras were prohibited inside the courtroom, so TikTokers, YouTubers, and livestreamers stationed outside the courthouse stepped in with daily recaps of testimony and legal arguments. Some, including credentialed journalist Mona Kosar Abdi, reported directly from the courtroom and attracted millions of views. Their videos weren’t evidence, but for viewers following through social media, they became their version of the trial.
Online participation can sometimes produce something investigators can actually use. During the search for Gabby Petito in 2021, travel vloggers Jenn and Kyle Bethune reviewed footage from their road trip after seeing calls for information and spotted Petito’s van near Grand Teton National Park. They sent the footage to the FBI, helping investigators narrow the search area where her remains were found.
But online speculation can just as easily outrun the facts. After the remains of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez were discovered in a Tesla parked in Los Angeles and registered to musician D4vd, whose legal name is David Burke, internet users combed through his digital history. They circulated photographs, purported social media posts, song lyrics, and images of a tattoo that appeared to connect Burke and Rivas, although much of the material had not been independently verified at the time.
Credit: TikTok’s “Top” results for a search of “D4vd”Some of the material raised legitimate questions about their relationship; other users treated rumors and coincidences as proof. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell later criticized some of the theories as wildly removed from investigators’ evidence. Burke was arrested in April 2026 and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and related charges. By then, though, online sleuths had already spent months shaping the public’s perception of his guilt and surfacing what appeared to be legitimate leads — and they continue to do so.
Sometimes, the target isn’t even a suspect. During the University of Idaho murder investigation, TikTok creator Ashley Guillard used tarot readings to accuse professor Rebecca Scofield of orchestrating the killings. Scofield had no connection to the crimes, but Guillard repeated the allegations across more than 100 videos, even after police cleared the professor and she received cease-and-desist letters. Scofield sued for defamation, and a jury awarded her $10 million in 2026 — years after the false claims had reached Guillard’s followers.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.Of course, renewed attention does not always work against a defendant. The Menendez brothers were already experiencing a TikTok revival when Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and a companion documentary brought the case back into the mainstream in fall 2024. The releases sent viewers searching for old trial clips and had some reconsidering whether the brothers’ sexual abuse allegations had been taken seriously in the 1990s. TikTok and Netflix did not legally reopen the case — their attorneys had filed a habeas petition based on purported new evidence in 2023 — but they gave that effort an enormous new audience.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.High-profile trials have always been spectacles — the Lindbergh kidnapping trial, Charles Manson, O.J. Simpson. What has changed is how easily the people watching can become active participants.
As Harvard Law professor Ron Sullivan warned in 2025, constant coverage gives jurors more opportunities to encounter inadmissible evidence and arguments. But the influence runs both ways: Attorneys can find witnesses through TikTok, prosecutors can subpoena creators’ messages as evidence, and online movements can pressure officials to reopen cases — even as unfounded theories harm victims, their families, and witnesses.
Courts still decide what becomes evidence, but they can no longer pretend the parallel proceedings unfolding online don’t affect them. Reddington may barely know what TikTok is, but the legal system no longer has that luxury.
4 eclectic Paramount+ movies to watch this week (August 17-23)
If you're at all up to speed (or even care) about what's hot and not at the top of the Paramount+ movie charts, you'll have noticed that Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender has been parked at No. 1. But hanging out right behind it is a pack of idiots in a Vegas hotel suite with a tiger in the bathroom. That's quite the double feature for American subscribers.
Save $130 on the Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop
SAVE 10%: As of Aug. 17, you can get the Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop for $1,169.99, down from $1,299.99, at Amazon. That's a 10% discount, or $130 in savings.
Dreame L60 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop With Dock $1,169.99 at Amazon$1,299.99 Save $130 Get Deal at Amazon
Not to sound too cringey, but I'm a Dreame superfan. My floor-cleaning arsenal (aka the Dreame Team) includes the Dreame L60 Pro Ultra, Dreame N20 Steam Portable Carpet Cleaner, and the Aero Pro Steam. Each one is phenomenal in its own way, so whenever there's a sale, I'm definitely the first one to let people know.
SEE ALSO: Dreame's newest vacuum mop basically pressure-washes your floorsAs of Aug. 17, you can get the Dreame L60 Ultra robot vacuum and mop for $1,169.99, down from $1,299.99, at Amazon. That's a 10% discount, or $130 in savings. That may not sound like much, but I can tell you from experience that these little robot vacuum-mops are worth every penny.
Although I have the upgraded version, the L60 Ultra still has some pretty impressive stats. You'll get 35,000Pa of suction, a detangling brush (great for pet parents), and an all-in-one PowerDock that auto-empties the dustbin (you'll get up to 100 days' worth of debris in one bag) and washes the mop pads with 212-degree hot water.
You can control everything through the app, and other than emptying the dirty water bin every now and again, this is a hands-off cleaning machine. (I've had my Ultra Pro for over two months and still haven't had to replace the bag.)
