AI Scrapers Meet Their Match: The Rise of 'Tarpits'

Frustrated by AI crawlers ignoring robots.txt, developer Aaron created 'Nepenthes,' malware that traps crawlers in an endless maze of static files. This 'tarpit' technique, inspired by anti-spam tactics, has sparked a wave of similar tools, including Gergely Nagy's 'Iocaine.' While criticized for potentially burdening servers and hindering AI progress, supporters see it as a rebellion against AI's overreach and a way for content creators to reclaim control. The debate highlights the tension between AI development and the protection of online content.