Private Eye’s Website: A Digital Fiasco or Just Another Satirical Stunt?

In the ever-evolving world of cyber mischief, it seems even our most beloved satirical publication isn’t immune to the occasional digital misdemeanour. Yes, we’re talking about Private Eye. The iconic British magazine, known for its sharp wit and even sharper investigative journalism, has recently experienced a bit of an online snafu. And it seems someone’s decided to have a go at their website, possibly just because they could.

First, let's set the scene. You’ve got a well-respected publication, known for its tongue-in-cheek exposés and relentless scrutiny of the powerful. But all of a sudden, behind the scenes, things aren’t looking so tidy. The site appears to have been tampered with, and while we’re no conspiracy theorists (well, not since we stopped reading those X-Files-themed articles), it’s worth asking: what’s going on here?

The Case of the Multiple Google Analytics Tags

You might expect the world of satire to be rife with double-dealing and backhanded tricks, but when it comes to Google Analytics, double is a bit much. For reasons that no one outside the labyrinthine world of web analytics can fully explain, Private Eye’s website is now home to two Google Analytics tracking codes: one that belongs to the magazine itself, and another—wait for it—seemingly unrelated. Perhaps someone at Google got a little too curious about how many readers are laughing at the expense of the powerful, or maybe it’s just an honest mistake. Either way, one can’t help but wonder if this is part of some sinister digital plot to monitor our every click. Of course, we’ll be looking forward to the data report from “That Guy Who Still Uses Internet Explorer.”

The Curious Case of the <BASE> Tag

Next, let’s take a look at a rather strange find buried deep within the website’s source code. It’s the kind of thing you’d probably expect from someone who’s accidentally left a sticky note on their desk with the password to the entire internet: a <BASE> tag pointing to “http://www.private-eye.co.uk/” with no other clear purpose. Now, usually, this tag is used to define a base URL for relative links. But here’s the thing: when the <BASE> tag is in the wrong hands, it’s like giving a toddler the keys to your car. One can only imagine the havoc it could wreak—redirecting you to sites that are far less entertaining, or worse, getting you stuck in a 10-hour clickbait rabbit hole featuring 'the truth about celebs who can’t stop eating crisps.' We’ve all been there, haven’t we?

Open Graph: A Fling with Fake News?

And then there’s the truly bizarre Open Graph description. For those unfamiliar with Open Graph, it’s the tool that lets websites control what text and images show up when you share links on social media. So, imagine the surprise when we stumbled upon this gem:

<meta property="og:description" content="TRUMP HELPS TATE FLEE TO USA" />

Now, unless Private Eye has suddenly decided to reinvent itself as a political tabloid (with a hint of gossip), something here doesn’t quite add up. What could possibly have led to this bizarre headline, rife with potential misinformation? The more cynical among us might speculate that someone’s taken it upon themselves to add a little extra ‘colour’ to the site’s usual dry wit. Perhaps a digital prankster took their role as an "Eyebrow Raiser" just a bit too seriously. Either way, we doubt this is part of Private Eye’s editorial vision—unless Rupert Murdoch is now moonlighting as their editor-in-chief.

JQuery: The Internet’s Aging Grandparent

At this point, we’re deep enough in the weeds to find one of the internet’s older relics—jQuery 1.6.0. Yes, this is the very same version of jQuery that was last updated in 2011, when smartphones were still smart and Twitter was about as revolutionary as a dog wearing a hat. If you’re wondering what could possibly go wrong with using such a venerable old version, here’s the short answer: security risks. The kind of risks that make you want to send an email with the subject “Why are we still using this?” to your local IT department.

But for now, it seems the website’s decision to stick with jQuery 1.6.0 might be a little more than a nostalgia trip. Who needs modern web security when you can watch the site slowly load like a vintage car sputtering to life?

The Facebook SDK: A Friend or a Foe?

Facebook’s social media SDK (software development kit) is embedded on the page, which is a common enough move for websites looking to increase engagement. But a word of caution: Facebook is a bit like that one mate who insists on tagging you in every photo, even when you’re clearly not in it. It’s harmless enough... unless it’s been tampered with, in which case, your entire digital footprint could be on the chopping block. If the SDK’s been altered in some way, the potential for data mining and tracking is too high to ignore. And with a publication like Private Eye—who knows what kind of “extra” data someone might be harvesting. Social media insights, anyone?

A Page of Ads and No AdSense?

As though to confirm that Private Eye’s website is being run by a crew of hackers with a sense of humour, the page is rife with advertising scripts, some of which are mysteriously commented out. “Wait a minute,” you might ask, “where’s the money going from these ads?” Surely someone has found a way to make a little bit of dosh in between all the scathing political commentary? Perhaps, but for now, the ads are more of an enigma than a cash cow.

Conclusion: Something’s Up, But What?

So what do we make of all this? Has Private Eye’s website been hacked, hijacked, or simply caught in the digital equivalent of a disorganised mess? While it’s difficult to say definitively, we’d recommend that someone at the magazine look over their code—preferably before their next exposé is on the “perils of internet security.” And, who knows, maybe there’s something to be said about the old adage: never trust a website that still uses jQuery 1.6.0.

In the meantime, we’ll keep an eye on the site’s strange new features. As for those of us who’ve been left wondering whether or not it’s just an elaborate hoax—well, let’s just say this: in the world of satirical journalism, truth is often stranger than fiction.

In the End, It's Just a Magazine: Focus on the Bigger Picture

Of course, while Private Eye's website may offer its fair share of digital chaos, we must remember it's just a magazine. In the grand scheme of things, it's a mere glitch in the matrix of modern media. What we should really be concerned about is the much more pressing issue—FoxNews.com being hacked. Now that's the kind of news that deserves our full attention. Because in the end, who needs a functional website when we've got cyber criminals getting a go at some of the most important news outlets on the planet? Priorities, folks.