Scammers know exactly how to trap you. When a friendly message on social media suddenly moves to WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram, it’s a red flag. Here’s how to spot the warning signs and stay safe.
California’s new opt‑out a win (if you live there)
ChatGPT
Kim K. in Calabasas, CA, asked if California’s new browser privacy law means she no longer needs Incogni, a sponsor of my national radio show. Great question. First, yes, I did check to see if that “K” stood for Kardashian. No response … yet. 😏
👨🏻⚖️ California’s new AB 566 law
It forces browsers to give you a new one-click “Do Not Track Me” signal. It’s basically a big red stop sign for websites that love scooping up your personal data. The law (AB 566) goes into effect in 2026, and sites will be legally required if you’re in California.
So what does it actually stop?
All those creepy behind-the-scenes trackers, from recording your clicks and time on a page to building a profile around what you shop for, what device you’re on and your location. And yep, it could also mean the end of those annoying cookie consent pop-ups.
Sounds like a win, right? It is, but only if you live in California.
Other states haven’t passed anything like it yet. There’s no national law forcing websites to honor this do-not-track signal outside of CA, either. Some sites might apply it broadly to avoid legal headaches, but I wouldn’t count on it.
So while this new browser feature is a great first move, it’s not a force field. You’re still fair game for data brokers, app trackers and companies selling your personal data.
🕵️ The bigger problem
Now, this law only applies to websites. It does nothing to stop the worst offenders, data brokers.
This shady industry is already worth $278 billion and is projected to soar past $500 billion by 2030. That’s huge.
They’re scraping your name, address, phone number, salary estimate, political leanings, medical issues, interests and even your family members’ names, all from apps, public records, loyalty programs, credit pulls and social media. Then they bundle it up and sell it.
Scams are an underground industry
Midjourney
You already know the usual scams. Romance, crypto, tech support, job offers, fake investments, and the list goes on. But what you might not realize is that a growing number of people behind these scams aren’t evil masterminds.
🍥 Bun believable: What started as one woman selling her grandma’s cinnamon buns turned into Mav’s Top Buns, a New Jersey bakery that’s pulled in over $1 million and sold 500,000 buns in a year, all thanks to social media. No ads, no investors, just gooey carbs with a “bake it and post it” philosophy. This was a dangerous story to write at lunchtime.
Getting a phone before 13
Puts kids at a much higher risk of developing suicidal thoughts. A massive study of 100,000+ people found girls often take the biggest hit to self-worth and emotional control, while boys struggle more with calmness and empathy. The common culprit? No shocker here, social media.
📱 Android app shortcuts: Long-press certain apps for quick access to core features. Chrome lets you open a new tab or jump into Incognito mode. Gmail gives you options like composing a message or switching accounts. Social media apps like Instagram let you post right away or check your activity feed.
AI meets true crime
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In late November 1987, Nashville police got a call about a revolting stench on Charlotte Avenue. What they found under a dirt-floor crawl space shocked even the most hardened crime scene veterans: two decomposing bodies, buried and forgotten beneath a broken-down home.
Scroll-stopping swag
Kim Komando
Yup, that’s me during my ’90s big hair infomercial days as the Komputer Tutor, teaching America how to conquer their computers one VHS tape at a time.
Before TikTok and Instagram, there were late-night infomercials, and wow, we bought it all. Remember the ThighMaster? The Flowbee? The Clapper? “Set it and forget it!”
😡 Crackin’ under fake pressure: Remember the Cracker Barrel logo drama? Turns out half those boycott posts on social media were bots. New research says AI-generated accounts fueled a fake backlash, and the brand actually folded. Oh, Cracker Barrel, come for the biscuits, stay for the psyop. Next time you see rage-bait, remember the mob might not even be real.
Will I be able to sing?
Roger Love, vocal coach to Bradley Cooper and other big stars, turns me into a songbird. Yes, I sing in this show. Then, the U.S. leases China’s TikTok algorithm, sketchy routers, and Facebook Dating’s AI wingman. Plus, why some people turn to the wild world of free sperm donors on social media.
AI is stealing your photos off social media
AI is scraping billions of selfies from social media to train facial recognition. Bots target unmarked photos, but a simple watermark can protect your images. Here’s what you need to know.
📖 Bible goes cinematic: Pray.com is cranking out AI-generated Bible videos (think seven-headed dragons, collapsing cities and angels that look like superheroes). Millions are watching, mostly guys under 30. Theologians say it cheapens Scripture into a “Don’t forget to like and pray!” social media plea, but Pray’s team calls it “the Marvel Universe of faith.”
🔍 Track down contact info: Type “Jane Doe” with keywords like “email, phone or profile” into Google. If you know where they work, narrow it down with “Jane Doe” site:company.com. For social media, try site:linkedin.com Jane Doe, site:facebook.com Jane Doe or site:instagram.com Jane Doe. Still nothing? Reverse image search.
Your children’s minds trapped by these apps
What sounds like the plot of a horror novel is already real life. Social media apps like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram are designed to hook children in minutes, sparking mood swings, depression, and full-blown addiction. Here’s what every parent and grandparent needs to know.
📶 Don’t trust public Wi-Fi: Scammers can set up “evil twin” networks that look like your coffee shop’s or airport’s Wi-Fi. Once you connect, they can intercept everything you type, from social media logins to credit card info. Always ask staff for the exact network name, and use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic. My pick is ExpressVPN.
🤳🏼 Oops, she did it again: Britney Spears posted a nude photo on Instagram, just boots and a strategically placed rose emoji, and yep, social media exploded. The next day, she followed it with a raw post about her kids, past trauma and trying to heal. Some are whispering a comeback, others say it screams therapy. I think it’s just so sad.
TikTok’s new craze: A 9-year-old camera. Yep, the social media gods have crowned the Canon PowerShot ELPH 360 HS as the best point-and-shoot camera for that “perfectly imperfect” vibe. It was $360 new in 2016. Now it’s out of stock on Canon’s site, and used ones are selling for up to $600. Nostalgia always cashes in.
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🎨 Need stunning photos? I’ve used Dreamstime for years, and for good reason. Whether you’re building a website, designing a presentation or just need the perfect pic for social media, Dreamstime has millions of royalty-free images that won’t break the bank.
Stay groovy, Old Faithful: Social media’s latest doomsday fantasy? That Yellowstone’s wildlife is fleeing an imminent volcanic eruption. The panic started with a fake post claiming “hundreds” of the park’s ~40 mountain lions were fleeing. Bears “escaping” turned out to be filmed in a drive-thru zoo in South Dakota. Someone posted a herd of wildebeests in Africa. Speaking of… What did the dad say after dropping his son off at Yellowstone National Park? Bison! (lol)