A thriller novel about algorithmic injustice and data privacy. The story follows Arjun Dev, a man carrying the weight of his sister's death, and ACP Preeti Rao, a police officer who works in the gap between law and justice. Together they investigate how AI-driven mental health applications can be repurposed for surveillance and harm. The foreword explains the real-world basis for the technology…
404: Justice Not Found is a thriller novel by Chennai-based author Preethi. The book is for readers interested in fiction that explores the real-world consequences of algorithmic decision-making and data privacy violations in mental health technology. Published by Jump2Learn Publication in 2026, the novel follows two main characters across twelve chapters and a prologue.
The story opens with a prologue set in Chennai, October 2016, introducing nineteen-year-old Ananya and her brother Arjun Dev. Ananya is described as alert and curious, the younger sibling who learned to be quicker and sharper to stay visible next to her serious brother. The prologue establishes Dr. Priya Swaminathan as a therapist who notices Ananya's particular way of thinking.
Chapter One begins with a penthouse murder. Chapter Two covers an eight-minute gap in events. Chapter Three introduces a character called The Smile. Chapter Four deals with a classification system labeled Class C. Chapter Five follows a paper trail. An interlude explores what Dr. Iyer did after a visit.
Chapter Six reveals a hidden key, followed by an interlude about what Dr. Priya knew. Chapter Seven introduces a rootkit, a type of malicious software. Chapter Eight follows a pen drive. An interlude covers Aryan and Anjana the night before. Chapter Nine is titled No Exit. Chapter Ten introduces a Red Class Index, followed by an interlude about Preeti after the server room.
Chapter Eleven is titled Upload. Chapter Twelve is titled 404. The foreword explains that the technology in the book is based on real practices, including AI-driven mental health applications such as Wysa, iCall, and YourDOST, emotional pattern profiling as a commercial practice, and shadow data channels found in consumer software. The author researched artificial intelligence profiling systems and data monetization practices before writing.