TechLinked Podcast Summary

Episode: YouTube wants GOOD Slop, Website card skimmers, Tesla nixes Autopilot + more!
Date: January 24, 2026
Hosts: Riley & Linus Media Group Team

Overview

This fast-paced episode covers the latest in tech and gaming news, zooming in on YouTube’s AI-generated content push, a significant website card skimmer security discovery, Okta’s vishing attacks, Tesla’s surprising decision to discontinue Autopilot, TikTok’s much-debated US acquisition, and more. The hosts combine their signature brand of quick wit, tech skepticism, and pop culture banter to keep listeners both informed and entertained.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. YouTube’s AI Content Push

• YouTube CEO Neil Mohan announced that creators will soon be able to generate Shorts using their own AI likeness (00:36).
• This move follows a study showing 21% of recommended videos to new users are AI generated.
• YouTube will now allow creators to use AI tools to generate more content, but claims to be developing systems to curb low-quality "AI slop".
• Host's Take:
  • There's concern over whether this will just flood the platform with more low-effort, algorithm-chasing videos—or if it'll enable better, more creative outcomes.
  • "YouTube only wants you sipping and slurping that primo slop. The kind of slop that you can take home to mom." – C (00:58)
• Shorts now generate 200 billion daily views, a key incentive to keep the content rolling.

2. Website Card Skimmer at Canada Computers

• A hidden credit card skimming script was discovered on the Canada Computers website, stealing customer data in real time (01:17).
• Discovery by a Reddit user via browser dev tools; may have gone undetected for weeks.
• Breach highlights the risks of both server-side and now increasingly, client-side exploits.
• Customers are advised to check credit statements if they've purchased recently.
• Memorable Quip:
  • "But what's worse, being ripped off by a legitimate website or having your grandma call you and ask you to sign up for a multi level marketing scheme." – C (02:02)

3. Okta Hacked via Vishing

• Reports surfaced of vishing (voice-phishing) attacks on Okta, a popular authentication service (02:11).
• Hackers impersonated IT support to trick employees into handing over credentials.
• Group "Shiny Hunters" claimed responsibility.
• Google Security expects AI-powered attack kits are around the corner.
• Host's Satire:
  • "The only logical response… is to arm ourselves with iambic pentameter and use adversarial poetry to hack the hacker's back." – C (02:38)

4. Tesla Discontinues Autopilot

• Major shift: Tesla is ending Autopilot, which previously came standard (03:12).
  • Now, only regular cruise control is included; to get lane assist or Autosteer, owners must buy the $8,000 Full Self Driving (FSD) subscription.
  • Post-February 14, FSD shifts to $99 per month; Elon Musk claims the price will increase.
• Recent FSD milestone: Tesla Model S completed a "zero-intervention" coast-to-coast drive.
• NHTSA is still investigating FSD safety concerns, but Tesla is pushing robo-taxi launches in Austin—with chase cars trailing for now.
• Comparison: Waymo is currently running more mature, fully driverless taxis in multiple U.S. cities.
• Biting Commentary:
  • "Maybe then he'll stop using city streets and sadly, uninformed Tesla drivers as a testing ground for dubiously functional features. Come on. 10 million gifted subs to get Elon to a trillion hashtag OnlyYouCanHelpElon get another trillion hashtag." – C (05:41)

5. Quick Bits

[Start: 07:08]

• TikTok's US Spin-off Finalized: ByteDance sells majority of TikTok's US operations to a joint venture (Silver Lake, Cloud Co., Oracle, UAE's MGX), while keeping nearly 20% ownership. U.S. user data now sits on Oracle servers, with algorithm retraining onshore (07:19).
  • "So it's more of a divorce with shared custody than a clean break." – C (07:47)
• Apple AI Wearable: Rumors point to a new AI-powered wearable pin, with cameras and mic, possibly launching in 2027 (08:04).
  • Skepticism remains given the flop of the Humane AI Pin (08:19).
• ASUS / AMD Motherboard Issues: Asus investigates failures with AMD's high-end Ryzen CPU on certain motherboards, just ahead of the new Ryzen chip launch (08:32).
  • "Nothing boosts product confidence quite like killing off its predecessor. The Sith knew that." – C (08:46)
• Retro Controller with Heart Monitor: Anbernic releases a gamepad with a built-in screen and pulse reader—retro styling meets health tech (08:50).
  • "When you get a little too into Soul Caliber, all three of your joysticks can tell you when you're getting a little too excited." – C (09:04)
• Creepy Crawling Robot Hand: Swiss researchers develop a detachable robotic hand, able to crawl away, grip objects, and return autonomously (09:15).
  • "Supposedly humming the Addams Family theme the whole way—I made that part up, but they should add that feature." – C (09:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On YouTube's quality standards:
  • "YouTube only wants you sipping and slurping that primo slop. The kind of slop that you can take home to mom." – C (00:58)
• On AI-powered cyber attacks:
  • "I think the only logical response to this will be to arm ourselves with iambic pentameter and use adversarial poetry to hack the hacker's back. Call that a jack attack? Mac talking smack. Eat some shellac." – C (02:38)
• On Tesla and FSD subscription calls:
  • "Maybe then he'll stop using city streets and sadly, uninformed Tesla drivers as a testing ground for dubiously functional features." – C (05:41)
• On retro tech and biometric gaming:
  • "When you get a little too into Soul Caliber, all three of your joysticks can tell you when you're getting a little too excited." – C (09:04)
• On robotic hand innovation:
  • "Supposedly humming the Addams Family theme the whole way. I made that part up, but they should add that feature." – C (09:22)
• Closing banter:
  • "You know, fabulous secret powers were revealed to me the day I held aloft my magic computer mouse and said, by the power of TechLinked, I have the power bonk." – B (10:34)

Episode Timestamps

• 00:36 – YouTube AI Shorts & content quality debate
• 01:17 – Canada Computers card skimmer breach
• 02:11 – Okta vishing attacks; AI’s future in cyber threats
• 03:12 – Tesla drops Autopilot; FSD, robo-taxis, safety concerns
• 07:08 – Quick Bits intro
  • 07:19 – TikTok’s U.S. joint venture finalized
  • 08:04 – Rumored Apple AI wearable pin
  • 08:32 – Asus/AMD motherboard reliability issue
  • 08:50 – Anbernic’s retro/biometric controller
  • 09:15 – Swiss robot hand innovation

Conclusion

This episode delivers everything from deep dives into AI’s impact on video content and security, to zany gadget news and critical perspectives on tech industry leadership (with plenty of snark). New features, unsettling vulnerabilities, and weird innovations are all packed into less than 11 minutes, making this a must-listen for staying sharp on current tech culture and the quirks driving it.