Hello fellow citizens of the internet! Andrew here. Welcome to today’s edition of web_crawlr.
Our top stories today are about: How a 6-year-old cat meme is making an auto body shop blow up online, a Walmart customer saying they were overcharged “for nothing,” a deepfake of President Biden declaring World War III that is dividing experts, and how advocacy groups are staunchly opposed to a bill that would allow the president to ban TikTok.
After that, we’ve got a “Problematic on TikTok” column from our IRL Reporter Tricia.
See you tomorrow!
— A.W.
⚡ Today’s top stories
🐱 MEMES
A 6-year-old cat meme helped a Florida auto body shop go viral on TikTok
Clancy’s Auto Body Shop, a Fort Lauderdale business that’s been around for nearly two decades, is currently blowing up online—all thanks to a cat meme.
💸 WTF
‘Walmart’s scamming people’: Customer says they were charged $200 ‘for nothing’
A man says his grandmother was overcharged at Walmart by hundreds of dollars, and viewers were scrambling to figure out what happened.
🎭 DEEPFAKES
AI-generated video of Biden declaring World War 3, bringing back draft splits experts
Experts are split on whether it was a dangerous misuse of the technology or an actual example of how the medium can be handled responsibly.
💻 TECH
GOP’s new TikTok bill faces strong resistance from leading tech advocacy groups
Tech advocacy groups staunchly opposed a bill that passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
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😬 Problematic on TikTok
No, a TikTok palm reading filter can’t tell you if you’re sick
In each edition of web_crawlr we have exclusive original content every day. On Tuesdays our IRL Reporter Tricia Crimmins breaks down the trends on the popular app that will make you cringe in her “Problematic on TikTok” column. If you want to read columns like this before everyone else, subscribe to web_crawlr to get your daily scoop of internet culture delivered straight to you inbox.
🕸️ Crawling the web
Here is what else is happening across the ‘net.
🐕 A viral TikTok shows a service dog owner being ridiculed in public for dying her dog’s tail red and green.
🎁 A woman says she now has left her job after an HR case was filed against her for a simple invitation to her birthday party, which she shared with a co-worker.
🍞 This video is going viral where a woman claims that her male Instacart shopper couldn’t find the bread aisle in a supermarket.
🛒 In a viral TikTok, a Walmart worker voiced her thoughts about having to pick out a 72-item express grocery order in under an hour.
🍲 A Trader Joe’s customer shared a policy that is so little known that, apparently, some store employees are unaware it even exists.
✨ It’s easier than ever to gift the magic of Disney. Here’s everything you need to know about the all-new Disney+ gift subscriptions.*
📺 The Manalorian finally explained what happened to Cara Dune after Gina Carano’s firing.
🍔 A Whataburger employee who lied about their car situation—presumably in an effort to get out of going to work—says their manager thwarted her plan after he offered to drive her.
💼 From the Daily Dot archive: For Gen Z, office culture is both nostalgic and glamorous (sometimes).
*The Daily Dot may receive a commission in connection with purchases of products or services featured here.
👋 Before you go
A video featuring a fast-food customer’s disturbing burger order has gone viral on TikTok.
The video in question was recorded by TikToker @prettyboymuova and shows an unpleasant sight: the styrofoam container holding their burger, fries, and gravy has completely melted, leaving a sticky mess inside.
With its view count now exceeding 973,400 views, the viral TikTok video has triggered a lively discussion among viewers, who are speculating on what could have gone wrong.
🎶 Now Playing: “For You” by Kadhja Bonet 🎶
