The Los Angeles Times uncovered a covert electioneering campaign involving over 500 social media creators. Here’s the scoop.
Your privacy restored
© Eduard Goricev | Dreamstime.com, © Tero Vesalainen | Dreamstime.com
Ever Googled yourself and thought, “What the heck is that doing online?” Old addresses, phone numbers and even the car you drive are all out there. Worse, it’s probably on some sketchy people search site or buried in a mountain of search results.
I’ve been there too. After I went on a mission to wipe my info from every site I could find, I barely made a dent. That’s when I found Incogni.
The solution that works
I started with Incogni’s standard service. They send opt-out requests to 250+ data broker sites. Watching that removal list grow felt amazing. No more spam calls or texts cluttering up my phone, either. But some of the worst offenders, like search engine results, aren’t part of this deal.
So, I upgraded to Incogni Unlimited, which took things to the next level. You can submit links to specific sites where your info is shown. Spot yourself on a people search page? Just send it to Incogni. They’ll handle it until, poof, it’s gone.
You got the power
Before you say, “Kim, this sounds like a lot of work.” It isn’t. Incogni makes submissions a breeze.
Here’s how to do it:
- Copy the URL where you see your info.
- Paste it into your Incogni dashboard.
- Their team checks if it’s eligible (spoiler: it usually is).
- They reach out and sort out the removal for you.
- You get a notification when it’s done.
Submit as many links as you want. Unlike other services that cap you, Incogni lets you go wild.
Is there anything they can’t remove?
Some sites are off-limits, like government records, criminal conviction reports or social media accounts. But almost everything else is fair game.
Good post + bad timing = zero likes. Let’s fix that.
Midjourney
Are your carefully crafted social media posts getting the same amount of attention as a tree falling in the forest with no one around? As the French say, that’s no bueno.
Running a business is hard enough without your social media posts falling flat. You spent 30 minutes picking the perfect image, debated emojis for another 12, added hashtags that deserve a Pulitzer, and then? Radio silence.
👎 Social media is over: That’s what Mark Zuckerberg says. Meta’s being sued by the government for acting like a monopoly, but Zuck says every app does the same thing. TikTok and YouTube are just news, celebrity promos and AI slop now, like Meta. So really, what hold do they have? The days of friends posting real updates are long gone (paywall link).
🐶 For pup’s sake: Want to help shelter animals but can’t bring one home? Try virtual fostering. You’ll be matched with a pet and share their updates on social media to help them get adopted. Search “[your city] virtual fostering” for programs near you.
Romance scam victim faces 29 years in prison
Midjourney
Jean lives in the Midwest. She’s smart. She’s done well for herself. The kind of woman you’d think could spot a scam a mile away. Btw, that’s not her picture. It’s what I envision her looking like after talking to her.
A crypto guide for busy people that won’t make you cry
ChatGPT
Let’s get one thing straight: Crypto isn’t disappearing into the tech void. Love it, hate it or meme it into oblivion, digital currency is sticking around, and the U.S. is auditioning to become the crypto capital of the world.
🚭 Parents, watch out for smart vapes! They look like colorful gadgets that play music, run games, take calls and send social media notifications. But they’re actually vapes … with up to 30,000 puffs, and some even give you points for every hit. Yep, it’s nicotine, sweet flavors and gaming all rolled into one. It’s kind of like a Tamagotchi, except instead of you keeping it alive, it’s killing you.
🧠 New Gen Z term to know: “Locking in.” If someone you know uses that phrase, it means they are cutting out distractions to focus on a personal goal. Think quitting social media, skipping parties and going all-in on fitness or making money. My dad used to call it “a kick in the a$$.”
💍 Be smitten, not bitten: Couples are losing thousands to photographers they find on social media. It all seems legit with a digital contract. Then, the shady shutterbugs ask for a cash deposit through Venmo or Zelle. But on the big day? They ghost you or show up and never deliver the photos. Folks, do your homework.
How to make your pet go viral — April 12th, Hour 2
Got a super cute pup or kitty? I chat with the creator behind The Oreo Cat on how to make your pet a social media superstar — and even make a little cash doing it. Plus, scientists clone direwolves (kind of), and AI is outpacing doctors on MRIs.
Kim Komando Show Preview: How to make your pet go viral
Got a super cute pup or kitty? I chat with the creator behind The Oreo Cat on how to make your pet a social media superstar — and even make a little cash doing it. Plus, scientists clone direwolves (kind of), and AI is outpacing doctors on MRIs.
What to stream now
ChatGPT
I don’t know about you, but when Friday hits, the last thing I want to do is scroll for an hour trying to find something to watch. Usually, I give up and rewatch The Office for the 10th time.
Not this weekend. I made you a watch list, meticulously crafted between dopamine crashes, for the entertainment-decision-deficient among us. You’re welcome.
📅 Social on autopilot: Want to save time on social media? Schedule your Facebook and Instagram posts on Meta Business Suite. Head to the Home tab and tap Create post. Under Scheduling options, select Schedule to pick a date and time. You’re all set. Work smarter, not post from bed at midnight harder.
🎬 Keeping it reel: Gen Z is ditching big-budget TV and movies for social media content. They say it feels more real, more relevant and they trust creators over celebrities. Barry helped produce a feature film over a decade ago (Frontera — Watch it!), and it was tough then. Today? Getting a movie made is like climbing Everest in flip-flops.
💅 Feel like a spy: Put a smart NFC chip (paywall link) under your manicure. It’s a neat party trick to share social media links, send texts or open apps with just your finger. Here’s one on Amazon, but they don’t always work smoothly. Fun but could use a bit more … polish (I know you laughed).
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
👶 Birth rates are declining: If you’re wondering why no one’s settling down anymore, here’s a stat for you: Over half of 18- to 34-year-olds in the U.S. aren’t in a steady relationship. Blame tech. Folks are spending more time on social media, video games and TV than hanging out with each other. Can’t date if you’re glued to a screen!
🚨 Red alert for Androids: Be careful what you download. Hackers are using a tool called .NET MAUI to create what look like legit banking, dating and social media apps. They spread through texts and shady links instead of the Google Play Store. Always stick to the official app store, and keep your OS updated. Mahalo!
🔒 Privacy, please: Nearly every social media site strips metadata from photos. This shows when, where and how a picture was taken. But when you text a pic, that info can still show. Stop that. Open the image you want to send and tap the share button. Select Options and toggle off Location. Tap Done.
50% off alert: My home security pick, SimpliSafe, is having a massive sale. Get all the gear to lock down your home. You’ll sleep better at night.