The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett CIA Whistleblower: They Can See All Your Messages! I Was Under Surveillance In Pakistan!
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Jan 19, 2026 
John Kiriakou, a former CIA counterterrorism officer turned whistleblower, shares his gripping journey of exposing the CIA's torture program, leading to his imprisonment. He discusses the shocking ease of surveillance on everyday citizens, revealing how intelligence agencies can track you in real-time. Kiriakou dives into the psychology behind spy recruitment and the ethical dilemmas faced in the field. With stories of deception and covert operations, he stresses the importance of speaking the truth, despite the risks involved.
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Pretending To Be An Asset's Friend
- John described pretending to be gay to befriend and recruit a foreign officer, removing his wedding photos and socialising to build rapport.
- The target eventually provided information and later advanced to ambassadorial rank.
Whistleblowing Led To Prison
- After exposing the CIA torture program, Kiriakou faced prosecutions and ultimately served 23 months in prison following plea negotiation under heavy legal pressure.
- He says his prosecution showed how metadata and legal pressure can be used to punish dissent.
Treat Devices As Compromised
- Assume adversaries worldwide have device-hacking capabilities and act accordingly.
- Kiriakou names many nations and urges heightened digital caution for everyone.
