this post was submitted on 05 Feb 2026
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A new tool searches your LinkedIn connections for people who are mentioned in the Epstein files, just in case you don’t, understandably, want anything to do with them on the already deranged social network.

404 Media tested the tool, called EpsteIn—as in, a mash up of Epstein and LinkedIn—and it appears to work.

“I found myself wondering whether anyone had mapped Epstein's network in the style of LinkedIn—how many people are 1st/2nd/3rd degree connections of Jeffrey Epstein?” Christopher Finke, the creator of the tool, told 404 Media in an email. “Smarter programmers than me have already built tools to visualize that, but I couldn't find anything that would show the overlap between my network and his.”

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[–] termaxima@slrpnk.net 9 points 40 minutes ago

Do read WHY they are mentionned, though. Most of his critics are mentionned a lot, and in that case it's a good thing.

[–] ramble81@lemmy.zip 5 points 53 minutes ago

For reference, everyone is 3rd degree at a minimum.

  • 1st - You’re directly connected with them
  • 2nd - The person is connected with a person you’re a 1st degree connection with
  • 3rd - People that are not connected to any 1st or 2nd degree connections (I.e. everyone else)
[–] vogi@piefed.social 30 points 2 hours ago

Be aware that not everyone in the list has to be involved. Daniel Stenberg lead dev of curl is in there multiple times. I believe as part of the provided licenses.

[–] chiliedogg@lemmy.world 48 points 3 hours ago (3 children)

We need to be careful in how we view the latest batch from the files. They contain lots of names of people who were not involved in the least. Bilbo Baggins and Punxsutawney Phil are in there. Lots of celebrities are in there simply because they're referenced in an email, while they had no contact with Epstein knowledge of what was happening.

And if we're too aggressive in how we react to people's names popping up in searches, it gives cover to those who were complicit.

Not Punxsatawney Phil! Aside from his short rivalry with Murray over the starring role in Groundhog Day, he's a good guy!

[–] Grimy@lemmy.world 5 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

From a distance, it's very hard to tell if it's two consenting hobbits or if one is a child. It's easy for them to find themselves on the list, poor Bilbo.

[–] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 4 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

And how old even in a child hobbit? 60?

[–] Zorque@lemmy.world 5 points 1 hour ago

I believe they reach adulthood in their mid to late thirties. Merry and Pippin are technically in the equivalent of their late teens when they head off with Frodo in FotR

[–] tonytins@pawb.social 13 points 3 hours ago

One of the commenters on the site did point out that it's a defamation lawsuit waiting to happen.

[–] ParlimentOfDoom@piefed.zip 98 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

I don't think I know anyone remotely rich enough for this to be a concern.

[–] gustofwind@lemmy.world 50 points 4 hours ago (2 children)

That’s the secondary use of the tool

If you’re not on the list you clearly lack connections and power and aren’t a good fit

This is the most LinkedInLunatic coded response ever

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 hours ago

Son of a bitch is so poor he's like 4 hops from knowing someone in the Epstein files.

[–] aeronmelon@lemmy.world 24 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

I think, not as a business professional but as a human being, that if this is something that concerns you then you are also the kind of person that doesn’t even want to be on LinkedIn.

[–] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 6 points 4 hours ago

Right? Bill Gates is in the epstein files a lot.

[–] Beep@lemmus.org 13 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 4 hours ago)

Motherfuckers....

My post about this tool got removed from the community for no reason.

[–] AbouBenAdhem@lemmy.world 8 points 4 hours ago

the tool, called EpsteIn—as in, a mash up of Epstein and LinkedIn

A better mashup might have been “SteptIn”.

[–] AcesFullOfKings@feddit.uk 5 points 3 hours ago

I'm sure my LinkedIn contacts could search the epstein files on their own without my help