Industry
Tampering With Store Products Has Become an Online Trend
Published
2 years agoon

- Footage of a girl opening an ice cream container, licking the top, and putting it back into a store freezer recently went viral, and now more people are doing the same.
- Many are sharing videos of themselves licking and touching ice cream, as well as spitting into other kinds of products in stores before putting the items back for other customers to purchase.
- The girl who started the trend was identified by Texas police officers and will be dealt with in the juvenile justice system.
- But one of the copycats was arrested in Louisiana and charged with unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity, along with criminal mischief for allegedly tampering with property.
Viral Ice Cream Licker Generates Copycats
Many social media users are appalled by the Internet’s newest viral trend: tampering with products in grocery stores.
The question of “Why?” can’t really be answered, but we do know how. The trend started when a video of a girl licking a tub of Blue Bell ice cream and putting it back into the grocery store’s freezer went viral at the end of June.
What kinda psychopathic behavior is this?! pic.twitter.com/T8AIdGpmuS
— Optimus Primal (@BlindDensetsu) June 29, 2019
Authorities were able to pinpoint the store in Lufkin, Texas and locate the girl in the video, whom they said is a minor. The Lufkin Police Department said that her situation would be looked at by the juvenile justice system.
However, the legal trouble that unfolded around this situation did not stop people from joining in. Since then, more videos of people tampering with ice cream have gone viral on Twitter.
This is just foolish! Why would anyone lick the ice cream with their tongue and put it back? Not only are you spreading germs and bacteria, you’re making the store more disgusting. If you see a person doing it, report it to a store clerk. Don’t try it. pic.twitter.com/ahRLXVYJJB
— Government of the Imperial Kingdom of Carpathia (@carpathiangov) July 4, 2019
I love ice cream pic.twitter.com/CWA1aNBmJU
— LARZ (@GAYSHAWNMENDES) July 3, 2019
Some of the copycats will also see legal consequences. One man, Lenise Martin III, in Louisiana who participated in the fad was arrested.
This done gotten out of hand. Now his old ass should know better🤦🏽♀️@ILoveBlueBell @WAFB @Kiran_WAFB pic.twitter.com/TKX0jUikok
— Mrs. Franklin (@Ms_Pisces_Slay) July 7, 2019
According to WLOS, he was charged with unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity, and criminal mischief for allegedly tampering with property. However, Martin claims he never actually put the ice cream back in the freezer and told The Washington Post he had already purchased it.
Trend Grows
Since the Internet is, more often than not, an agent of chaos, this viral trend has not stopped at ice cream. People have found ways to spread their germs on all kinds of grocery store products.
One viral video shows someone taking Listerine off the shelf, gargling it, and spitting it back into the container.
you bitches with no oral hygiene could take a hint pic.twitter.com/IaMOC1caid
— Bameron Nicole Smith (@bameronkaii) July 3, 2019
Many are also sharing a video of someone spitting into a jug of Arizona sweet tea.
So we’re making tampering with grocery store products a thing 😕 this is beyond disgusting why is this a trend ? pic.twitter.com/RomLZKjZ6N
— AsiaKaurr💕 (@AsiaKaurr) July 9, 2019
A video of a woman burping on various products in a grocery store is also being re-circulated on Twitter.
EXCUSE ME??? pic.twitter.com/aFgeasFQQh
— Ian (@ianisughlee) July 4, 2019
Internet Reacts
Internet users have had strong reactions to this trend. Some have posted about preventative measures being taken. A police department in Texas shared a photo of officers guarding an ice cream freezer to stop these shenanigans.
The only Blue Bell Ice Cream being licked here in Keller this holiday weekend will be the kind you’ve already purchased. Cpl. Clark and Officer Bryan are seeing to that. #NotOnOurWatch @ILoveBlueBell pic.twitter.com/9BbBqN8mh0
— Keller Police Dept (@kellerpolice) July 5, 2019
A photo of what appears to be an ice cream freezer locked up, requiring employee assistance, has also made its way around Reddit and Twitter.
Many are disgusted by the fad and think it should stop, including Paris Jackson, who tweeted about the viral videos.
this grocery store trend where people lick and spit in drinks and foods and shit is absolutely disgusting and not funny at all. i genuinely don’t see the humor in any of it.. the most pathetic part about it is some of the people doing it are literally adults. who raised you ??
— Paris-Michael K. J. (@ParisJackson) July 8, 2019
Others have also shared their frustration online.
i’m so tired of seeing videos of people in the grocery store contaminating products for some retweets… who raised y’all
— Jan🦋 (@jandolynw) July 9, 2019
i’m genuinely scared to get things from the grocery store now🙄
— alyssa 🌻 (@alyssaamaready) July 9, 2019
There’s no telling how long this trend will stick around the web, so until we make it out on the other side, grocery shop wisely.
See what others are saying: (Vice) (WLOS) (Eater)
Industry
Google Investigates Top AI Researcher Who Was Looking Into a Previous Firing
Published
23 hours agoon
January 20, 2021By
Cory Ray
- Google is investigating the co-leader of its Ethical AI team, Margaret Mitchell.
- While Mitchell has not been fired, her account has been locked because Google said she “exfiltrated thousands of files” and shared them with people outside of the company.
- In a tweet, Mitchell indicated that she had been “documenting current critical issues” related to the firing of another Google AI Ethicist in December.
- Sources reportedly told Axios that Mitchell had been specifically looking for messages that showed discriminatory treatment of that fired researcher.
Google Investigates Margaret Mitchell
On Tuesday, Google stated that it is now investigating the co-leader of its Ethical Al team, Margaret Mitchell.
Mitchell has reportedly not been fired, but her company email account has been locked.
According to Google, its security systems automatically lock employee accounts “when they detect that the account is at risk of compromise due to credential problems or when an automated rule involving the handling of sensitive data has been triggered.”
In this case, Google said Mitchell “exfiltrated thousands of files” and then shared them with people outside of the company.
Why Did Mitchell Begin Looking Through Files?
Mitchell’s investigation is related to the ousting of another top AI ethicist at Google, Timnit Gebru, who was fired at the beginning of December.
Before Gebru was fired, managers reportedly instructed her to withdraw an unpublished research paper upon her return from vacation. In an email to the internal listserv Google Brain Women and Allies, Gebru then voiced frustration at managers for allegedly making the decision without her input.
“You are not worth having any conversations about this, since you are not someone whose humanity (let alone expertise recognized by journalists, governments, scientists, civic organizations such as the electronic frontiers foundation etc) is acknowledged or valued in this company,” Gebru said in a critique of the decision.
Gebru’s firing led to such a massive outcry from Google employees that Google CEO Sundar Pichai pledged to investigate the situation.
On Friday, Mitchell indicated in a tweet that she was also looking into Gebru’s firing, saying that she was “documenting current critical issues from [Gebru’s] firing, point by point, inside and outside work.”
Just after midnight. Hit 10 pages documenting current critical issues from @timnitGebru 's firing, point by point , inside and outside work. For Jeff Dean and whoever might actually read it (no one?). Wistfully remembering when I used to do research.
— MMitchell (@mmitchell_ai) January 15, 2021
According to Axios, sources have said that Mitchell used automated scripts to siphon through messages that potentially document discriminatory treatment against Gebru.
See what others are saying: (Axios) (The Verge) (Bloomberg)
Industry
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey Says Trump Ban Was the “Right Decision” But Sets “Dangerous” Precedent
Published
7 days agoon
January 14, 2021By
Cory Ray
- While defending Twitter’s decision to permanently ban President Donald Trump, CEO Jack Dorsey noted the “dangerous” precedent such a move set.
- “Having to take these actions fragment the public conversation,” Dorsey said in a lengthy Twitter thread on Wednesday. “They divide us. They limit the potential for clarification, redemption, and learning.”
- Dorsey’s message came the same day Twitter fully reinstated Rep. Lauren Boebert’s (R-Co.) account, hours after locking it for violating Twitter rules. A Twitter spokesperson later described the lock as an “incorrect enforcement action.”
Dorsey Describes Trump Ban as a Double-Edged Sword
In a lengthy Twitter thread published Wednesday, CEO Jack Dorsey defended his platform’s decision to permanently ban President Donald Trump, while also noting the “dangerous” precedent such a unilateral move sets.
Twitter made the decision to ban Trump on Jan. 8, two days after pro-Trump insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol complex in an assault that left multiple dead.
“I do not celebrate or feel pride in our having to ban [Trump] from Twitter, or how we got here,” Dorsey said in the first of 13 tweets.
Nonetheless, Dorsey described Trump’s ban as “the right decision for Twitter.”
“Offline harm as a result of online speech is demonstrably real, and what drives our policy and enforcement above all,” he added.
I believe this was the right decision for Twitter. We faced an extraordinary and untenable circumstance, forcing us to focus all of our actions on public safety. Offline harm as a result of online speech is demonstrably real, and what drives our policy and enforcement above all.
— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021
“That said, having to ban an account has real and significant ramifications,” Dorsey continued.
“[It] sets a precedent I feel is dangerous: the power an individual or corporation has over a part of the global public conversation.”
Dorsey described most bans as a failure of Twitter to “promote healthy conversation,” though he noted that exceptions to such a mindset also exist. Among other failures, Dorsey said extreme actions like a ban can “fragment public conversation,” divide people, and limit “clarification, redemption, and learning.”
Having to take these actions fragment the public conversation. They divide us. They limit the potential for clarification, redemption, and learning. And sets a precedent I feel is dangerous: the power an individual or corporation has over a part of the global public conversation.
— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021
Dorsey: Trump Bans Were Not Coordinated
Dorsey continued his thread by addressing claims and criticism that Trump’s ban on Twitter violated free speech.
“A company making a business decision to moderate itself is different from a government removing access, yet can feel much the same,” he said.
Indeed, multiple legal experts have stated that Trump’s ban on social media does not amount to First Amendment violations, as the First Amendment only addresses government censorship.
“If folks do not agree with our rules and enforcement, they can simply go to another internet service,” Dorsey added. However, Dorsey noted that such a concept has been challenged over the past week.
This moment in time might call for this dynamic, but over the long term it will be destructive to the noble purpose and ideals of the open internet. A company making a business decision to moderate itself is different from a government removing access, yet can feel much the same.
— jack (@jack) January 14, 2021
Trump has now been banned or suspended from a number of platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. On Wednesday, Snapchat announced plans to terminate Trump’s account in the “interest of public safety.” Previously, Snapchat had only suspended his account, but as of Jan. 20, it will be permanently banned.
Addressing criticism of the swift bans handed down by these platforms in the wake of the Capitol attack, Dorsey said he doesn’t believe Trump’s bans on social media were coordinated.
“More likely: companies came to their own conclusions or were emboldened by the actions of others,” he said.
Twitter Reverses Course of Locking Rep. Lauren Boebert’s Account
Dorsey’s thread regarding the fragile nature of regulating users’ privileges on the platform seemed to play out earlier the same day.
On Wednesday, newly-elected Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Co.) posted a screenshot to Instagram showing that her Twitter account had been locked for six days. The screenshot stated that she had violated Twitter’s rules and would be unable to tweet, retweet, or like until her account was unlocked.
Hours later, Twitter reversed course and fully reinstated her account.
“In this instance, our teams took the incorrect enforcement action. The Tweet in question is now labeled in accordance with our Civic Integrity Policy. The Tweet will not be required to be removed and the account will not be temporarily locked,” a spokesperson for the platform told Insider.
It is unknown what tweet caused that initial ban, as Twitter refused to say.
The latest tweet from Boebert’s account to be tagged with a fact check warning is from Sunday. In that tweet, she baselessly and falsely accuses the DNC of rigging the 2020 Election, a claim that largely inspired the Capitol attacks.
See what others are saying: (Business Insider) (CNN) (Associated Press)
Industry
Uber and Lyft Drivers Sue To Overturn California’s Prop 22
Published
1 week agoon
January 13, 2021By
Cory Ray
- A group of Uber and Lyft drivers filed a lawsuit Tuesday against California’s controversial Prop 22, a ballot measure that was approved by nearly 59% of state voters in the 2020 election.
- While Prop 22 does promise drivers wage guarantees and health insurance stipends, it also eliminated some protections as well as benefits like sick pay and workers’ compensation.
- In their lawsuit, the drivers argue that Prop 22 “illegally” prevents them from being able to access the state’s workers’ compensation program.
What’s in the Lawsuit?
In a lawsuit filed Tuesday, a group of Uber and Lyft drivers asked California’s Supreme Court to overturn the state’s controversial Prop 22 ballot measure.
The drivers behind the lawsuit, along with Service Employees International Union, allege that Prop 22 “illegally” bars them from being able to participate in the state’s workers’ compensation program.
Additionally, they argue that the measure violates California’s constitution by“stripping” the state legislature of its ability to protect who unionize.
“Every day, rideshare drivers like me struggle to make ends meet because companies like Uber and Lyft prioritize corporate profits over our wellbeing,” Plaintiff Saori Okawa said in a statement.
Conversely, Uber driver and Prop 22 activist Jim Pyatt denounced the lawsuit, saying,“Voters across the political spectrum spoke loud and clear, passing Prop 22 in a landslide. Meritless lawsuits that seek to undermine the clear democratic will of the people do not stand up to scrutiny in the courts.”
California ballot measures have been occasionally repealed in the past; however, most of the time, they’ve only been repealed following subsequent ballot measures. If this lawsuit fails, such an initiative would likely be the last option for overturning Prop 22.
What is Prop 22?
Prop 22, which was approved by 59% of state voters in the 2020 Election, exempts app-based transportation and delivery companies from having to classify their drivers as employees. Rather, those drivers are listed as “independent contractors,” also known as gig workers.
Notably, Prop 22 was supported by major industry players like DoorDash, Uber, Lyft, and Instacart, which launched a massive $200 million lobbying and advertising campaign.
While those companies did promise wage guarantees and health insurance stipends for drivers, Prop 22 also eliminated a number of protections and benefits drivers would have seen under an “employee” status, including sick pay and workers’ compensation.
Because of that, many opponents have argued that the measure incentivizes companies to lay off their employees in favor of cheaper labor options.
Last week, it was reported that grocery stores like Albertsons, Vons, and Pavilions began laying off their delivery workers in favor of switching to ”third-party logistics providers.” According to Albertson’s, unionized delivery workers were not included in the layoffs.
In recent coverage from KPBS, one San Diego Vons delivery worker detailed a situation in which he and delivery workers were called into a meeting with management.
“I thought they were going to give us a bonus or a raise or something like that,” he said.
Ultimately, that employee was told he would be losing his job in late February, even though he had been with the company for two-and-a-half years.
“I didn’t want to tell them,” the employee said of his parents, one of whom is disabled. “I’m the breadwinner for the family.”
See what others are saying: (The Verge) (The Washington Post) (CNN)

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