Viral Hooks
Trending short videosStudent finds vending machine spying
Z

@zephzoid

Instagram · Carousel

@zephzoid A vending machine on a Canadian campus broke and revealed it had been scanning students’ faces. A Waterloo student photographed an error screen naming a program called Invenda FacialRecognitionApp. The machines belonged to Mars, and its sales materials said they could estimate a buyer’s age and gender. The maker said no images were stored, but the university pulled the machines anyway. Put your snack money toward local bakers on Localize instead. Sources: CBC News

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The edit1 shot · 5 text
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Performance

Views
296.1K
Likes
19.7K
Comments
335
Engagement
6.8%
Outlier
89×

Video #44253 · Carousel

Student finds vending machine spyingfrom @zephzoid

[01]

Overview

A five-slide Instagram carousel detailing a news story where a University of Waterloo student discovered M&M's vending machines were using facial recognition software. The post walks through the discovery via a software error, the implications, the university's response of removing the machines, and concludes with a call-to-action to use a different app for local sweets.

[02]

Simple outline

  1. 1Hook with shocking discovery
  2. 2Present irrefutable evidence
  3. 3Reveal the larger context
  4. 4Provide resolution and pivot

[03]

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[04]

Classification

Format
Carousel
Concepts
Statement CarouselBreakdown
Elements
Text OverlayScreenshot as EvidenceImage OverlayPromotional End Card
Account
BrandCurator
Topics
Current EventsTechStudent LifestyleSociology

[05]

Hook analysis

What stops the scroll in the first 3 seconds

Title hook

WATERLOO STUDENT FINDS OUT THE M&M'S VENDING MACHINES ON CAMPUS WERE SCANNING FACES AFTER ONE BROKE

Verbal hook

A vending machine on a Canadian campus broke and revealed it had been scanning students’ faces.

Visual hook

The first slide uses a composite image combining a familiar M&M's vending machine with an alarming computer error message and a photo of the student involved. This visual juxtaposition creates immediate intrigue and signals a story about technology, a person, and a well-known brand.

[07]

Hook and payoff

The promise the opener makes, and how the video pays it back

Hook

Slide 1 establishes a compelling mystery by presenting a shocking claim about a familiar object or situation, revealed through an unexpected event (e.g., something breaking). It combines the human element with the subject of the revelation to create immediate intrigue.

Payoff

The final slide pivots from the concluded story to a related, actionable takeaway. It leverages the problem or concern raised in the narrative to introduce a solution, alternative, or direct call-to-action.

[08]

Narrative framework

The structural pattern this video runs on

Framework

The Uncovered Secret Framework

This framework tells a story of accidental discovery. It hooks the audience by revealing a hidden truth exposed by a mistake or glitch, then systematically provides evidence, context, and resolution before pivoting to a call-to-action.

  1. 1

    The Smoking Gun

    Slide 2 provides the concrete, undeniable proof that validates the hook's claim. This slide serves to build credibility and satisfy the audience's initial skepticism by showing the 'receipts'.

  2. 2

    The Context & Stakes

    Slide 3 expands the narrative by revealing the 'who' and 'why' behind the secret. It raises the stakes by connecting the isolated incident to a larger entity or motive, answering the 'so what?' question.

  3. 3

    The Resolution

    Slide 4 delivers a sense of closure to the immediate story by showing the direct consequences or the official response to the discovery. This concludes the core narrative arc.

Themes

  • Corporate surveillance
  • Data privacy
  • Technology ethics
  • Student activism
  • Local business promotion

Techniques

  • Visual storytelling
  • Graphic design
  • Photojournalism
  • Call-to-action

Trends

  • Carousel news summaries
  • Privacy awareness content

Post caption

A vending machine on a Canadian campus broke and revealed it had been scanning students’ faces. A Waterloo student photographed an error screen naming a program called Invenda FacialRecognitionApp. The machines belonged to Mars, and its sales materials said they could estimate a buyer’s age and gender. The maker said no images were stored, but the university pulled the machines anyway. Put your snack money toward local bakers on Localize instead. Sources: CBC News

Text overlays

  • title · photo_0

    @zephzoid WATERLOO STUDENT FINDS OUT THE M&M'S VENDING MACHINES ON CAMPUS WERE SCANNING FACES AFTER ONE BROKE

  • informational · photo_1

    @zephzoid A University of Waterloo student posted a photo of the broken screen, which named a file called Invenda.Vending.FacialRecognitionApp.exe

  • informational · photo_2

    @zephzoid Mars owns the machines, and the maker's sales brochure said they could send the estimated age and gender of each buyer without asking

  • informational · photo_3

    @zephzoid The maker said no images were stored, but the university had the software switched off and the machines removed

  • call-to-action · photo_4

    Find local sweets instead on Localize

Student finds vending machine spying | Viral Hooks