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Top CommentAuthor: BBC
The story behind your social media feed, from BBC correspondent Marianna Spring and investigative journalist Matt Shea. Top Comment investigates what's blowing up online. From global events that go viral across social media, to bizarre moments that spill into real life, Marianna and Matt unpack the trends, theories and digital chaos shaping our world.You can also hear Marianna's previous series for the BBC in this feed, including Marianna in Conspiracyland, Why Do You Hate Me?, Disaster Trolls, Death by Conspiracy? and War on Truth. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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AO3 and fears of the internet apocalypse
Thursday, 5 November, 2026
When the internet’s biggest fanfiction site disappears, there’s one thing you can still count on: a network of fans. AO3 hosts more than 18 million works, including many sexually explicit stories, and writing inspired by popular IP, such as Harry Potter, Twilight and Heated Rivalry. And the fans have been sharing “fics” on drives to keep each other going while their online haven is down. The non-profit behind AO3, announced the site would be offline for two to four weeks, citing a “security incident”. In this episode, Marianna and Matt discuss why people are panicking and whether after other cyber security threats recently - including PHP - the internet is becoming more fragile. Plus - Marianna has done an experiment to test how AI chatbots might be influencing how people vote and how it could mean for future elections. Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. Made by Emma Close and Sophie Milward. The technical producer was Jonny Hall. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is topcomment@bbc.co.uk or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.
