Thx for the response Oa. Unfortunately this info isn't really that actionable. Although I (and apparently MW, if he counts as a trusted civ) can at least verify that it's true.
Interested in hearing results of anyone who has either found a cultist or investigated shockcannon.
@Linkcat, I investigated worldwideweb3 and found out that he's British. Didn't really know that counted as its own faction, but I can see how it makes sense.