For anyone who comes across this in the future, Ars published an official retraction: https://arstechnica.com/staff/2026/02/editors-note-retractio...

And Benj posted an explanation & admitted fault: https://bsky.app/profile/benjedwards.com/post/3mewgow6ch22p

I haven't decided whether or not to cancel, but even after these explanations I'm still pretty disappointed in this event & how it was handled.