Image: Sean Black
On the Clock is Motherboard's reporting on the organized labor movement, gig work, automation, and the future of work.
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In September, Black devised a way to flood a so-called whisteblower site looking for information on people seeking abortions in Texas with bogus data. He then created an easy-to-use iOS shortcut meaning even non-technical users could join in the effort.Since then, he has made tools to flood a Kellogg hiring site with data when the company said it would replace striking workers. The Ralphs code works in a similar way, Black told Motherboard.Black said he created the Ralphs tool after his friend Elise Joshi heard about the scab hiring and asked if he could do anything about it. On Twitter, Joshi tweeted on Tuesday, “I’m in class and successfully sending Ralphs’ false job applications using code made by [Sean Black].”Black told Motherboard he “just wanted to do my part the best way I know how.”Update: This piece has been updated to include that the job application no longer appears available.Subscribe to our cybersecurity podcast, CYBER. Subscribe to our new Twitch channel.Do you know about any other digital activism like this? We'd love to hear from you. Using a non-work phone or computer, you can contact Joseph Cox securely on Signal on +44 20 8133 5190, Wickr on josephcox, or email joseph.cox@vice.com.