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TL;DR: Live stream Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts for free on Channel 5. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The NFL is making it annual trip to London today, with the Washington Commanders and Indianapolis Colts facing off as part of the Week 4 action.

The Commanders and Colts lost their first games, then bounced back last week. The Commanders sneaked a surprise win against Super Bowl champions the Seahawks, while the Colts beat the Texans with a field goal with just 16 seconds to go.

If you want to watch Commanders vs. Colts in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Commanders vs. Colts?

Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts starts at 9.30 a.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

How to watch Commanders vs. Colts for free

Commanders vs. Colts in the NFL is available to live stream for free on Channel 5.

Channel 5 is geo-restricted to the UK only, but anyone can secure access 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 live stream Commanders vs. Colts for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit Channel 5

5. Watch Commanders vs. Colts for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Commanders vs. Colts without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus more NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 always 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Washington Commanders vs. Indianapolis Colts for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers for free on 7Plus. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The new NFL season has already delivered plenty of big action and results. But one of the big talking points so far has been the performance of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who's had a pretty much perfect start to the season. Pundits are already predicting that he'll be this year's MVP. The 49ers Quest for Six has become the stuff of legend, but is this the year it actually becomes a reality?

The 49ers will now host the Denver Broncos, a team that's looking good thanks to a two-game winning streak. Can they upset the undefeated and in-form 49ers?

If you want to watch Broncos vs. 49ers in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Broncos vs. 49ers?

Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers starts at 4.25 p.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at Levi's Stadium.

How to watch Broncos vs. 49ers for free

Broncos vs. 49ers in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, but anyone can secure access 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 Broncos vs. 49ers for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Watch Broncos vs. 49ers for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Broncos vs. 49ers without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills for free on 7Plus. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's another Sunday stacked with NFL action, including New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills. The Bills are currently 3-0, which suggests they're the favorites against the Patriots, who have shown up-and-down form so far and are currently at 2-1.

The Patriots scored a heavy win over the Steelers in Week 2, but suffered an even heavier loss this past week to the Jaguars. But there's no such thing as a foregone conclusion in the NFL. The Bills might look dominant on paper, but they were lucky last week to come back against the Los Angeles Chargers, who had the Bills on the ropes at various points in the game. The Bills also suffered a few injuries.

If you want to watch Patriots vs. Bills in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Patriots vs. Bills?

New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at Highmark Stadium.

How to watch Patriots vs. Bills for free

Patriots vs. Bills in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, but anyone can secure access 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 Patriots vs. Bills for free from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit 7Plus

5. Watch Patriots vs. Bills for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Patriots vs. Bills without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture (plus NFL action) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, 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 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Apple's budget MacBook Neo is becoming a go-to laptop for kids and early education. Social media videos show parents trekking to the Apple Store to pick one out in their child's favorite color. Meanwhile, K-12 school districts are swapping Neos for clunky old Chromebooks and Windows PCs in droves.

As Mashable's resident laptop expert, I personally endorse the MacBook Neo as a great choice for youngsters. It's affordable, well-made, powerful enough for any basic task, and small enough to fit in a backpack. The fact that it comes in fun colors doesn't hurt, either. (I'm partial to blush and citrus.)

If you recently purchased a MacBook Neo for your own kid (or any MacBook, for that matter), then you should know that Apple rolled out new child safety tools with the launch of MacOS 26 in September, including upgrades to its existing parental controls.

So, learn how to set up parental controls on a MacBook Neo.

1. Set up their Child Account Credit: Apple Credit: Apple

Apple's Child Accounts are mandatory for children under age 13 and available for those up to age 18.

To create an Apple account for your kid, you have to set up Family Sharing first. Once that's done, follow these steps:

• Go to the System Settings app on the MacBook Neo

• Click your name at the top of the sidebar (make sure you're logged into your own Apple account)

• Click Family > Set Up Family. In the pop-up window, click the button that says, "Create Child Account"

You'll be asked to enter your child's name and birthday before agreeing to some terms and conditions. Apple needs their birthday to determine what kind of content they can access.

You'll then create an iCloud email address for your kid and choose a password for it.

2. Turn on Ask to Buy Credit: Apple

As soon as you create your child's Apple account, you'll be asked if you want to turn on Ask to Buy, a feature that lets them request your permission to download or buy an app.

If you don't enable this one right away at setup, you can turn it on later by going to System Settings > Family > [your child's name] > Apps & Websites > Restrictions > Ask to Buy > Require Purchase Approval.

3. Turn on Find My Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

MacOS will also ask you if you want to turn on Find My when you create your child's account. Find My is Apple's built-in device tracking service, and countless toddlers already have water bottles and shoes outfitted with AirTags. With Find My on, you can locate missing water bottles in the Find My app on the MacBook Neo or at cloud.com/find. (Alternatively, you can see the location of a lost Neo if they leave it behind at school or on the bus.)

To set up Find My later, you first need to turn on Location Services. Go to System Settings > Privacy and Security > Location Services, then hit the toggle at the top of the window.

In the same System Settings app, click the account name in the top-left corner of the window. Go to iCloud > See All > Find My Mac to turn on the feature. If you see a little yellow triangle next to the green Find My icon, that means you haven't enabled Location Services yet.

4. Set screen time limits Credit: Apple

Apple's Screen Time tool lets you control when and how long your child has access to their MacBook Neo. To set a Screen Time schedule, go to System Settings > Screen Time and hit the toggle for Schedule. You can choose specific days and time windows.

You can set a four-digit passcode to make sure your child can't change their screen time limits by going to System Settings > Screen Time > Change Passcode, then verifying your identity. If your child manages to figure out the code, you can change it anytime.

5. Set Time Allowances for apps and games Credit: Apple

A new Time Allowances feature within the Screen Time tool lets you set daily limits for your child's app usage. Go to System Settings > Screen Time > Time Allowances > Manage Categories to choose how much time they can spend per app type (Entertainment, Games, and Social Media).

6. Turn on Ask to Browse Credit: Apple

Ask to Browse is another new tool that lets you manually block access to websites. (It's on by default if your child is under 13 years old.) You'll find it via System Settings > Family > [your child's name] > Apps & Websites > Restrictions > Filtering. Your child can request your permission to visit sites that aren't on your "Approved" list.

7. Choose which contacts they can communicate with (and when) Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

You may want to let your child message or FaceTime certain friends or family members from their MacBook Neo. To do this, head to System Settings > Family > [your child's name] > Allowed Contacts. There, you can manage their contacts yourself or give them the option of sending you new contact requests. You can also choose who they can communicate with outside or during their Screen Time hours (i.e., you might want to make sure they can reach you anytime in case of emergencies).

8. Turn on Communication Safety Credit: Mashable screenshot

Communication Safety is an AI tool that automatically blurs inappropriate content and repeatedly warns your child before they view or send it. (As of September 2026, that includes nudity, gore, and violence.) If your child is under 13, they won't be able to view the content unless you enter your Screen Time passcode first.

Communication Safety works on Messages, Contact Posters, shared photo albums, and in certain third-party apps. You can turn it on by going to System Settings > Screen Time > [select your child's name] > Communication Safety.

Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $689.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Walmart Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $799 at Best Buy
  Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Walmart Shop Now at Amazon

TL;DR: The Google Pixel 11 is free right now with T-Mobile. To claim, activate a new line on most T-Mobile plans.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google T-Mobile: Google Pixel 11 for free   Shop Now

Apple's new iPhones have naturally dominated the headlines in recent weeks, but don't let that distract you from the fact that you can get the Google Pixel 11 for free this weekend.

For a limited time, you really can get your hands on the Google Pixel 11 for free at T-Mobile. To claim this offer, you simply need to activate a new line on most T-Mobile plans. It's that easy. There's no complicated sign-up process. No trade-in required. It's about as straightforward as these mobile carrier deals come.

The total cost of the phone is covered via 36 monthly bill credits. If you cancel or switch carriers before the end of your contract, you’ll need to pay the remaining balance. You are committing to stick it out with the Google Pixel 11, but you're getting best-in-class Android hardware, so that shouldn't be an issue.

The Google Pixel 11 packs the same next-gen Tensor G6 silicon and on-device Gemini AI processing as its more premium siblings. It delivers about 90% of the flagship experience at a far more approachable starting price.

The only catch is that you need to pay taxes and a $35 device connection charge when signing up. That's always the case with these free deals, and it shouldn't stop you from securing this generous deal.

Score the new Google Pixel 11 for free with T-Mobile.

TL;DR: Watch Portugal vs. Norway in the Nations League for free on RTP. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League is producing some really entertaining football. Portugal and Norway are competing in a really interesting group, with three teams tied on three points. Portugal are leading the way with three wins from three games, but Norway will pose a threat.

If you're interested in watching Portugal vs. Norway in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Portugal vs. Norway?

Portugal vs. Norway in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Oct. 4. This fixture takes place at the Estádio do Dragão.

How to watch Portugal vs. Norway for free

Portugal vs. Norway in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on RTP.

RTP is geo-restricted to Portugal, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Portugal, meaning you can live stream Portugal vs. Norway for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Portugal vs. Norway for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Portugal

4. Visit RTP

5. Watch Portugal vs. Norway for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Portugal vs. Norway without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTP?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTP, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Portugal

• 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Portugal vs. Norway for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Soppy.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SOGGY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Clasp.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 4, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

CLAMP

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Panic.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 4, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 4, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TIZZY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Ranges.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

RADII

Final Hurdle hint

A springtime flower.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

TULIP

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

The Moon is now past the Third Quarter phase, meaning more than half of its visible surface is in darkness. It will continue to wane over the coming nights as we get closer to the New Moon. Here's what you can see tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, Oct. 4, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Crescent phase, with 42% of its surface visible.

With just your naked eye, tonight you can see the Oceanus Procellarum, the Kepler Crater and the Tycho Crater. If you have binoculars, you can also spot the Grimaldi Basin and the Mare Humorum. Finally, if you have access to a telescope, you'll see the Apollo 14 landing spot and the Schiller Crater.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on October 25 or 26, depending on your timezone.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon takes around 29.5 days to orbit Earth, and as it moves through this cycle, we see different amounts of its sunlit side from here. That's what creates the Moon's different phases, from a thin crescent through to a half Moon and, eventually, the Full Moon. Once it reaches the Full Moon, the cycle starts over again. NASA explains that the phase we see depends on the Moon's position in relation to Earth and the Sun.

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.

TL;DR: The Bahrain GP in Malaysia is free to viewers on F1’s exclusive U.S. home Apple TV this weekend — no subscription required.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple TV Apple TV   Shop Now

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was everything that's great about F1. We had electric racing, dramatic incidents, and a nail-biting race to the chequered flag. Can the Bahrain GP in Malaysia compete with that? We believe.

George Russell's win last weekend has narrowed the gap to leader Kimi Antonelli, but the young Italian still looks like the favorite to end up on top. Lando Norris had been the man to beat coming into the last race weekend, but he ended up with a dreaded DNF. There's plenty of time to turn things around, and that starts at the Sepang International Circuit.

SEE ALSO: ExpressVPN review: A stylish VPN service with proven privacy and a large U.S. presence

If you want to watch F1 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the Bahrain GP?

The Bahrain GP is the 16th race of the 2026 F1 season. Here's the full schedule from the Sepang International Circuit:

• Practice 1 — 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 2

• Practice 2 — 4-5 a.m. ET on Oct. 2

• Practice 3 — 12:30-1:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 3

• Qualifying — 4-5 a.m. ET on Oct. 3

• Race — 3 a.m. ET on Oct. 4

Fans can follow all the action from this race weekend without spending anything.

How to watch the Bahrain GP for free

It's at the stage where we usually suggest using free trials to access F1 race weekends, but that's not necessary this time around. Instead, fans can watch every session live on Apple TV — including practice, qualifying, and Sunday’s Grand Prix — with no subscription required.

Not for the first time, Apple TV has made an entire F1 race weekend available to live stream for free to viewers in the U.S. Live coverage of the Bahrain GP in Malaysia runs from Oct. 2-4. You simply need to visit Apple TV and tune in. It's that simple.

We don't know why Apple TV has chosen this race weekend, but we're not going to ask too many questions. We're just going to sit back and relax all weekend with live action from the Sepang International Circuit.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for who watch NFL football.

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 categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Tracking a receiver

• Green: Iconic NFL moments

• Blue: Greatest pitcher of the modern day

• Purple: Wild cat teams

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Stats for a Receiver

• Green: Famous Football Plays

• Blue: Associated with Randy Johnson

• Purple: Panthers

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 #741 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Stats for a Receiver: RECEPTIONS, TARGETS, TOUCHDOWNS, YARDS AFTER CATCH

• Famous Football Plays: MINNEAPOLIS MIRACLE, PHILLY SPECIAL, THE CATCH, WIDE RIGHT

• Associated with Randy Johnson: 2001 WORLD SERIES, ARIZONA, BIG UNIT, SEATTLE

• Panthers: CAROLINA, FIU, FLORIDA, PITTSBURGH

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.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalog.

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 Pips

If 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 October 4, 2026

The 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 October 4, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for October 4 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically; 5-3, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically;5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for October 4 Pips

Less than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for October 4 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 3-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically.

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 2-4, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3 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.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 4, 2026 Bunch meaning

A group of similar things bound together.

Heap meaning

A large, messy pile of things.

Lot meaning

A large quantity.

Stack meaning

A neat pile of objects placed on top of one another.

Ball meaning

A round, spherical object used in sports or games.

Net meaning

An open meshed fabric used for catching things.

Paddle meaning

A handheld tool with a long handle and a flat blade used to row a boat or participate in a sport.

Table meaning

A piece of furniture with a flat top and legs.

Collar meaning

The part of a garment that fits around the neck.

Gavel meaning

A small wooden mallet used by a judge.

Robe meaning

A long, loose-fitting outer piece of clothing.

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Wig meaning

A head covering made of natural or synthetic hair.

Auction meaning

A public or private sale where goods, services or property are sold to the highest bidder.

Film meaning

A series of moving images projected on a screen to tell a story.

Partner meaning

A person or organization that shares an activity, business or intimate relationship with another.

Treatment meaning

The manner is which you deal with, behave toward or manage someone or something.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're familiar with the law.

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.

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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.

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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 October 3, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: So much

• Green: Mini sports

• Blue: Your Honor

• Purple: "Shhh!"

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Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Considerable amount

• Green: Table tennis needs

• Blue: Parts of a judge costume

• Purple: Silent ___

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 #1210 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Considerable amount: BUNCH, HEAP, LOT, STACK

• Table tennis needs: BALL, NET, PADDLE, TABLE

• Parts of a judge costume: COLLAR, GAVEL, ROBE, WIG

• Silent ___: AUCTION, FILM, PARTNER, TREATMENT

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

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.

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you love to play.

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 Mashable

By 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 October 4, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Grab your tokens

The words are related to play.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe fun pastimes.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Willothewisp.

NYT Strands word list for October 4

• Asteroids

• Frogger

• Arcade Games

• Centipede

• Scramble

• Pong

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're not well-built.

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 October 4 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.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A shanty.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SHACK

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.

TL;DR: Watch USA vs. Mexico in an International Friendly for free on TV Azteca. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are a number of really interesting soccer fixtures taking place this weekend, but USA vs. Mexico has got to be one of the best. This rivalry is always entertaining, and you know both sides will be desperate to claim a win. There's nothing friendly about this fixture.

USA are coming into this game off a convincing 4-2 win over Chile. Mexico were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Peru, but they'll be confident of producing an improved performance here.

If you're interested in watching USA vs. Mexico in an International Friendly from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is USA vs. Mexico?

USA vs. Mexico in an International Friendly kicks off at 10 p.m. ET on Oct. 3. This fixture takes place at the State Farm Stadium.

How to watch USA vs. Mexico for free

USA vs. Mexico in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on TV Azteca.

TV Azteca is geo-restricted to Mexico, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can live stream USA vs. Mexico for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream USA vs. Mexico for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Mexico

4. Visit TV Azteca

5. Watch USA vs. Mexico for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch USA vs. Mexico without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for TV Azteca?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TV Azteca, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Mexico

• 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream USA vs. Mexico for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Lock in 20TB of cloud storage for just $349.95 with this Scramble Cloud Storage lifetime subscription, on sale now for only $349.95 (MSRP $1,440).

Opens in a new window Credit: Scramble Cloud Scramble Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription (20TB) $349.95
$1,440 Save $1,090.05   Get Deal

Since we all have cameras within reach at all times, our digital lives continue to grow as we capture photos and videos. The only problem? All of that data has to go somewhere — and you’re probably paying for it with monthly cloud storage fees.

If you’re looking for somewhere a little more permanent to keep your content, it’s time to meet Scramble Cloud Storage. Right now, you can lock in an impressive 20TB of cloud storage for life for just $349.95.

How much are you paying to store your files? If you’re with iCloud, you’re endlessly forking over $360 a year for 6TB of space. A Scramble Cloud Storage lifetime subscription lets you pay less than that once, while securing more than triple that amount of space.

SEE ALSO: The best early Prime Day deals under $50: Our favorite budget deals on earbuds, beauty tech, and more

Scramble Cloud Storage doesn’t just offer highly competitive pricing for a large amount of cloud storage space. It also offers peace of mind with secure file-sharing capabilities that ensure your content is encrypted using the Advanced Encryption Standard and a zero-knowledge architecture that gives you total control over who gets access to it.

You don’t have to worry about a learning curve — Scramble Cloud Storage has a simple drag-and-drop interface and a familiar folder layout. You can also preview files instantly, share links, stream videos, or view Word and Excel files right in your browser. And it works via a desktop client, WebDAV, CLI, or web app.

This lifetime subscription gives you 20 TB of storage, unlimited file sharing, and bandwidth. You’ll also have access to ongoing platform updates.

Secure this Scramble Cloud Storage lifetime subscription for only $349.95 today.

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TL;DR: Watch Argentina vs. Burkina Faso in an International Friendly for free on Telefe. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

All the attention is on Lionel Messi's farewell fixture against Benin, but Argentina actually have another game to play before that emotional moment.

Argentina face off against Burkina Faso this weekend at the Estadio Monumental. They're coming off a comfortable victory over Bolivia and will expect another win here. Burkina Faso aren't weak opposition, but most fans will expect them to come up short here.

If you're interested in watching Argentina vs. Burkina Faso in an International Friendly from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Argentina vs. Burkina Faso?

Argentina vs. Burkina Faso in an International Friendly kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Oct. 3. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Monumental.

How to watch Argentina vs. Burkina Faso for free

Argentina vs. Burkina Faso in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on Telefe.

Telefe is geo-restricted to Argentina, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Argentina, meaning you can live stream Argentina vs. Burkina Faso for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Argentina vs. Burkina Faso for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Argentina

4. Visit Telefe

5. Watch Argentina vs. Burkina Faso for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Argentina vs. Burkina Faso without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Telefe?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Telefe, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including Argentina

• 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Argentina vs. Burkina Faso for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

SAVE OVER $150: As of Oct. 3, the Anker SOLIX C1000 is down to $449.98 on Amazon. That's $150.01 off its regular retail price of $599.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker SOLIX C1000 $449.98 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $150.01   Get Deal

Savvy Big Deal Days shoppers know to look beyond the glitzy, glamorous big-ticket items to find the practical or essential items that rarely go on sale. Among the best of these in the early deals we've browsed through is the Anker SOLIX C1000, a powerful portable power station with a built-in car charging cable and a maximum output of 2400W. 

As of Oct. 3, this potentially life-saving gadget is heavily discounted by 25%, bringing its regular retail price of $599.99 down $150 to $449.98. If you travel often, live remotely, or just want the peace of mind that comes from having power on demand, this is the best time to grab one.

SEE ALSO: 35+ early October Prime Day deals: We found live deals on Echo Dot, Bose, Lego, and Fire TV

With a massive maximum power output of 2400W, the SOLIX C1000 can run 99% of household appliances, so you can, for example, keep your refrigerator and freezer running through an extended power outage, or you can take advantage of the 11 ports to enjoy your smartphone, tablet, and computer when all your neighbors are suffering through a blackout. 

But it's campers and outdoor enthusiasts who would most benefit from this power station. The Solix C1000 comes with a solar generator capable of up to 600W of solar recharging, taking the device from empty to full power in just under two hours, so you can enjoy your gadgets or electric cooking appliances in the great outdoors, far from power outlets.

Finally, in the ultimate testament to its quality, the SOLIX C1000 features a LiFePO4 Battery rated to over 3,000 cycles over a ten-year span, offering you peace of mind for an entire decade. 

This is a time-limited deal, so grab your SOLIX C1000 before it expires.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by our shopping experts

• Apple iPhone 18 Pro — free at T-Mobile 

• Paramount+ — $0.99 for 2 months with code p2mcs26prem

• Apple iPad Pro — $1,899 $2,099 (save $200)

• TCL 85-Inch Class QM8L Series TV — $2,797.99 $3,999.99 (save $1,202)

A federal judge has sided with growing public sentiment that Flock cameras pose an unconstitutional surveillance risk, as the nation continues its campaign to get the tech out of its cities.

In a decision issued Oct. 1, federal judge Sara E. Hill ruled that a Tulsa County Deputy Sheriff violated constitutional protections by using a cross-state network of Flock cameras to track a vehicle heading toward the California border.

SEE ALSO: Bernie Sanders proposes The Ban Flock Act

The case involved a woman named Melisa Kyle, who was arrested by Oklahoma officials for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Kyle was apprehended by the Deputy, who worked for the Drug Enforcement Administration, while driving through Tulsa. The officer originally stated she was pulled over for suspicious driving, initiating a search that uncovered illegal substances, the Washington Post reported.

It was later revealed that the officer had run her license plate number through the county's Flock database and used that information as sufficient cause to stop and detain Kyle. Flock provided the officer with Kyle's recent location data, which showed she had made a recent short trip across the state and back, raising the officer's suspicion of drug activity.

Hill, former attorney general for the Cherokee Nation, concluded that the officer accessed Flock data without probable cause, amounting to an "unconstitutional warrantless search." It's one of the first rulings to allude to Flock as a sophisticated tracking system, with Hill using the phrase "indiscriminate mass surveillance" to describe police activity.

"Freedom from persistent, dragnet-style surveillance while in public is not a foreign concept in our society, and it is a reasonable expectation that society already accepts," wrote Hill.

Law enforcement's use of Flock cameras and its trove of location data has been under scrutiny for years. Officers in departments across the country have been found guilty of using the system to stalk and harass women and surveil private citizens. Others have used Flock's network to monitor activists, religious groups, and police critics.

Despite these alleged institutional abuses, previous rulings maintained that automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) did not violate the Fourth Amendment. A Flock spokesperson told the press that the company expected the ruling to be "appealed and ultimately overturned," citing existing precedent.

On Oct.2, Senators Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jeff Merkley introduced the Ban Flock Act, which includes sweeping restrictions on the use of ALPRs by federal agencies. In a press statement accompanying the news, Sanders argued the company was "eviscerating the very notion of privacy."

Hajar Hammado, senior policy advisor for civil society group Demand Progress, called the bill a "gold standard" for legislation fighting back against AI-enabled surveillance. "Flock and other ALPR companies have wormed their way into communities across the nation, and drastic, all-encompassing action is needed to root them out."