ʅ͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡͡(̸̢̛̼̞̭͋ͅ)̸͚̰͛̔̾̀̿͒͂:̴͓̞̑̌̂̆̊͋̀:̸͎̟̯̂̓̌　҉　　　　　͡　͞　͞　͞　҉● ࿀ ●  ࿀  ●　　　҉⃝ 　　　⃝͢ ͞　　　͘　͞⃝̕ ͢　　　　̛　⃝ 　　　̸　̡　　͢⃝̧ 　͡　͡　　̀　̧　̢⃝͜ 　 　҉　　͞　͞　⃝͞ 　͞　͡⃝  ⃝҉҈҉҈҉҈҉҈҉҈҉ :̶̢͙͙͕̠̩͆(̷̮͍͚̫͚͂̍)̵̳̗̊(　̟̞̝̜̙̘̗̖҉̵̴̨̧̢̡̼̻̺̹̳̲̱̰̯̮̭̬̫̪̩̦̥

What am I supposed to do with this?

It’s un-Googleable. Unpronounceable.

It doesn’t even render the same way on various platforms. It looks one way on YouTube Music. Another on Apple Music. And yet another on Bandcamp. Even the artist name ⣎⡇ꉺლ༽இ•̛)ྀ◞ ༎ຶ ༽ৣৢ؞ৢ؞ؖ ꉺლ is an unpronounceable series of glyphs that would make Prince shake his head.

So, from here on out, I’m just going to refer to ⣎⡇ꉺლ༽இ•̛)ྀ◞ ༎ຶ ༽ৣৢ؞ৢ؞ؖ ꉺლ by his more well-known alias, Four Tet, and the album as Wingdings. My apologies to Kieran Hebden for disregarding his intent, but I’ve got readers to consider.

Also, shoutout to subscriber morgannels for bringing this one to my attention in last week’s what are you listening to thread.

For years, Hebden has kept this alias somewhat of a secret. But now that this collection of wingdings has racked up millions of listens on services like Spotify, it’s get a more formal release with wingdings. Some of the tracks here have been released previously, including track five, which Fred Again dropped during his incredible Boiler Room set as “Feelings,” under one of Hebdens’ other aliases, KH.

Wingdings leans heavily towards Four Tet’s dancier outputs. And, despite what the project’s origins as some sort of secret b-side dumping ground might lead you to believe, these are not throwaways. They’re undeniable, infectious, and highly polished. Four Tet’s sense for sound design shines from crushed 8-bit drums to the hypnotic handpan grooves and sharp synth melodies.

While the songs are definitely groovy and danceable, they’re not high-octane rave-ups, for the most part. Instead, tracks like number seven build to a more ecstatic and spiritual climax as layers pile up and textures demand you turn your eyes towards the sky. Not unlike last week’s recommendation, Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase?, Wingdings is a celebration. No, I might not drop the triphop-esque track one at the club, but it’s perfect for finding your groove while trying to write, or cleaning, or any other activity where you want good vibes and grooves.

Track two would feel more at home on a dance floor with its deep four-on-the-floor thump and plucked arpeggios that seem to be constantly climbing off into infinity as house hi-hats tick along. Track three blends metallic gamelan-inspired melodies and ultradeep EDM wubs, while track eight is beautiful comedown ambiance.

It’s summer. Mall kiosks promise free cruises. Retailers run drawings at checkout. Entry cards sit in stacks near the register. You fill one out, drop it in the box and forget about it by the time you reach your car.

That may be the last moment the information feels contained. Many sweepstakes are legitimate. Still, the official rules or privacy policy may allow the sponsor, its affiliates or marketing partners to use and share your information. The privacy risk grows when those details become part of a larger marketing profile, move through the data broker industry or reach buyers running deceptive campaigns.

Free live CyberGuy class: Sick of Spam? Join us July 22

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FCC ROBOCALL CRACKDOWN COULD CHANGE PHONE PRIVACY

What personal information sweepstakes collect

A basic sweepstakes entry may ask for your name, email address and phone number. Some promotional forms request far more, including your age range, household income, health interests, medications or magazine subscriptions. Those extra questions can have marketing value even when they have little connection to selecting a winner.

The Federal Trade Commission has found that data brokers collect information from online and offline sources, including purchases, magazine subscriptions, income data and other personal details. Brokers can combine those records into profiles that help marketers predict what may capture your attention.

Before entering, ask yourself whether the sponsor truly needs each answer. The more information you provide, the more detailed the resulting profile can become.

How sweepstakes entry data becomes a marketing profile

Responding to a sweepstakes can become a valuable signal. It tells a marketer that a prize—based offer caught your attention and persuaded you to provide personal information. The FTC has warned that sweepstakes promoters may sell entry information to advertisers. That can lead to more targeted advertising, junk mail, telemarketing calls and spam.

Your entry may also be combined with purchase histories, demographic estimates and records collected from other sources. As a result, the profile can reveal far more than the few answers written on the original form. Once you are categorized as someone who responds to sweepstakes, your information may become more valuable to companies promoting similar offers. The danger grows when a poorly controlled list reaches a buyer running a fraudulent campaign.

What the Epsilon fraud case revealed

Epsilon Data Management was one of the world’s largest marketing companies. It entered a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department after acknowledging that one of its business units sold consumer lists to mass-mailing fraud schemes. Those operations sent false sweepstakes notices and astrology solicitations. The mailings claimed recipients had won prizes or could receive personalized psychic services after paying a fee. People who paid received nothing of value.

Epsilon agreed to pay $150 million in penalties and victim compensation. Of that amount, $127.5 million was designated for people harmed by fraud schemes that used Epsilon data. Many of the people targeted were older adults. The case continued beyond the company settlement. A jury later convicted a former Epsilon executive and sales manager of conspiracy, mail fraud and wire fraud.

The Justice Department said the defendants sold targeted lists to fraudsters who used them to identify people likely to respond to deceptive mailings. The case documents a specific abuse of targeted marketing data rather than a universal path for every sweepstakes entry. Still, it shows how information collected for marketing can become a road map for fraud when it reaches the wrong buyer.

How sweepstakes entry data can reach scammers

The exact path will vary by promotion. However, one possible chain looks like this:

• You enter a sweepstakes and provide your contact information.
• The sponsor stores the entry and uses or shares it according to the official rules and privacy policy.
• A marketing company combines your answers with information from other sources.
• Your record becomes part of a segment based on your interests and response history.
• The information passes to additional marketers or data brokers.
• In the worst cases, a buyer uses the list to send deceptive prize notices or other targeted scams.

This chain can unfold without a malicious website, infected attachment or stolen password. The starting point may be a paper form sitting inside a familiar store.

Why local sweepstakes can create privacy risks

A mall kiosk or retailer drawing feels safer than a random website because you recognize the location. That familiarity can make the privacy terms easier to overlook. Before entering, look for the official rules and privacy policy. Check whether the sponsor can share your data with affiliates, sponsors or marketing partners.

Also watch for language giving permission to call, email or text you. Once several companies receive the information, tracing every copy becomes difficult. That lack of visibility is one reason a simple contest entry can create a much larger privacy footprint.

How to protect your sweepstakes entry data

A few simple habits can limit the information you hand over, reduce unwanted marketing and help your family recognize a fake prize before money changes hands.

1) Reduce your data broker exposure

You cannot pull back every sweepstakes entry you have already submitted. However, you can reduce the amount of personal information available through data brokers and people-search sites.

Start by searching for your name, phone number, email address and home address online. You may find profiles that reveal your age, relatives, past addresses and other personal details. Many data brokers provide an opt-out process, although removing your information manually can take time and may require repeated requests.

You can also use a reputable data removal service to contact brokers on your behalf and continue submitting removal requests when your information reappears. Before signing up, check how many brokers the service covers, whether it offers ongoing monitoring and whether you can request removals from specific sites.

No service can erase every public record, social media post or privately held database. Still, reducing the number of sites displaying and selling your information can make it harder for marketers and scammers to build a detailed profile about you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: CyberGuy.com.

2) Share only what the sweepstakes needs

Provide the minimum information required for a valid entry. Think twice when a form asks about your income, medications, health concerns, shopping habits or other sensitive subjects. Some promotions need your age or date of birth to verify eligibility. However, questions unrelated to the official requirements may serve a marketing purpose.

WHAT A SCAMMER SEES THE MOMENT THEY GOOGLE YOUR NAME

3) Read the official rules and privacy policy

Look for the sponsor’s full name, eligibility requirements, drawing date and privacy terms. Pay close attention to language explaining whether your information may be shared with affiliates or marketing partners. When no official rules or identifiable sponsor appear, skip the promotion.

4) Skip optional marketing consent

Watch for preselected boxes or fine print that gives the sponsor permission to send promotions by email, phone or text. Leave optional marketing boxes unchecked. When consent is required to enter, decide whether the prize feels worth the additional contact and data sharing.

5) Use a separate email address for promotions

Consider creating an alias email address used only for contests, store loyalty programs and promotional offers. This makes follow-up marketing easier to recognize and keeps your primary inbox less exposed. A separate address cannot prevent the sponsor from sharing the information you provide. However, it can help you contain the resulting email. For more ways to protect your inbox, read how your email address gets into the wrong hands.

6) Never provide financial information to enter

Do not provide a bank account number, credit card number or payment app information on a sweepstakes entry. The Postal Inspection Service advises consumers to avoid any sweepstakes requesting financial information or payment. A legitimate sponsor may need tax information after you have independently verified a major prize. That request should come after the drawing and through a confirmed company contact rather than on the original entry form.

7) Save the rules and sponsor details

Take a photo of a paper entry form or save a screenshot of an online promotion. Keep the official rules, sponsor name and drawing date. When someone later claims you won, compare the message with the original promotion. Contact the sponsor through information you find independently rather than using a phone number or link provided in the prize message.

8) Watch an older relative’s mailbox

The Epsilon schemes harmed many older adults and other vulnerable people. Watch for prize letters that feel urgent, personal or unusually persistent. Talk with parents and grandparents before a suspicious letter arrives. Make sure they know to call someone they trust before sending money or personal information. You can also share our guide on how to stop scam texts from targeting aging parents.

9) Never pay to claim a prize

Real prizes are free. A demand for taxes, processing costs, shipping fees, gift cards, cryptocurrency or a money transfer signals a scam. Scammers often create urgency, so you have less time to question the story. Slow down and verify the company yourself. Gift card demands deserve special caution. CyberGuy has also covered how fake prizes lead to gift card losses.

10) Unsubscribe only from recognized senders

Legitimate marketing emails must provide a way to opt out of future messages. Use the unsubscribe option when you recognize the company and remember signing up. Avoid clicking unsubscribe links inside suspicious messages. A fake link may lead to a phishing page or confirm that your email address remains active. Mark the message as spam and block the sender instead.

11) Report suspicious prize mail

Report suspected prize or sweepstakes scams at the Federal Trade Commission’s ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can file a report even when you spotted the scam before losing money. When the scam involves the U.S. Mail, report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov/report. The agency accepts reports involving sweepstakes, lottery and other mail fraud.

COULD THE 7-ELEVEN BREACH AFFECT YOU?

Kurt’s key takeaways

That little entry card by the register can reveal far more than you think. The real concern begins when extra details leave the sponsor and become part of a marketing profile that gets shared, categorized and sold. The Epsilon case showed how lists of likely responders can become a road map for fraud, with older adults paying a steep price. Give the minimum, skip optional marketing consent and read the privacy terms before you enter. Then talk with the older people in your life before a convincing prize letter reaches their mailbox. Any prize notice demanding money belongs in the trash. You cannot pull back every old entry, but you can shrink your data trail and make your household harder to target.

Have you ever entered a sweepstakes and later noticed more junk mail, unwanted calls or suspicious prize offers? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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I would never go so far as to say there’s no place for AI in music (I’m a fan of Holly Herndon, after all). But I generally find music made with generative AI to be offensively boring, especially the outputs of Suno. So I’m having a bit of a tough time processing the fact that I actually quite enjoy 1010Benja’s “Semiramis’ Dream.”

Benja has been unapologetic about his use of generative AI on his latest EP, Time Has Nothing To Do With What You Choose… The other three tracks can’t quite hold a candle to what you find on 2024’s Ten Total. But the opener “Semiramis’ Dream” is infectious. It explodes out of the speakers with a jungle beat and Benja’s incredible, obviously human voice front and center.

You’d be forgiven for not immediately realizing that the song is the product of Suno. It lacks many of the dead giveaways. Even the most obviously AI part of the song — the choir of backup vocalists — is easily camouflaged amidst the hyperpop-influenced rapid-fire chops. Heavily processed and artificial-sounding vocals are a staple of many modern pop genres and, by leaning into that uncanniness, Benja is able to mask their origins.

My friend Patrick Holder did the beat. I recorded the vocals. Then we fed Suno the elements, settled on something, brought it out, edited it on Ableton, and then put it back into Suno. So when you look in Deezer, it marks the song as AI-generated. We’re not hiding it. We don’t feel any shame about it.

Benja’s process certainly separates it from the rest of the Suno slop out there. He wrote the lyrics, sang the vocals, and worked with collaborators to perform the music. Then fed that into Suno, took what the AI spit out, brought it into Abelton, edited it, added more layers, fed that back into Suno… rinse repeat ad naseum. Benja estimates he did this a few hundred times for “Semiramis’ Dream.”

While Benja professes to be agnostic about the tools he uses, he is under no illusion that using generative AI doesn’t come with ethical baggage. He acknowledges the damage it’s doing to the planet, but somewhat nihilistically says we can’t stop greedy corporations or put the AI genie back in the bottle: “The good guy doesn’t win this one,” he says.

The only reason I’m using gen at all is because my visions are currently far beyond my means. People have been asking me, “Did you use gen AI for this EP?” I’m like, [sarcastically] “No, I hired a professional children’s choir.” What are we talking about? I haven’t paid rent last month, and I won’t pay rent this month. I don’t know where the fuck I’m gonna be.

It’s hard not to empathize with Benja. Despite seeming to be on the verge of a breakout and earning a coveted Best New Music from Pitchfork for Ten Total, he’s a struggling artist who has endured periods of homelessness.

Still, it’s also worth acknowledging that there is little on “Semiramis’s Dream” sonically that he couldn’t have achieved without AI. Sure, he couldn’t hire a children’s choir, but it’s not like the AI one found throughout the Time Has Nothing To Do With What You Choose… is particularly convincing. A similar effect could be accomplished with some layered performances and smart vocal processing.

1010Benja hasn’t converted me — I still remain deeply skeptical of AI art. But he has proven that, in the right hands, Suno doesn’t have to be a slop engine.