Dad Saves America How the Government Hijacked the Internet - Mike Benz
Oct 30, 2025
In this discussion, Mike Benz, a former State Department official and founder of the Foundation for Freedom Online, dives into the dark side of surveillance and censorship. He reveals how child protection tech can morph into government censorship tools. Mike explains the CIA's integration within the tech industry and outlines the risks of digital IDs that threaten personal freedoms. He sheds light on powerful private entities like Oracle and warns against the implications of centralized data control on civil liberties. It's a compelling look at the invisible forces shaping our online lives.
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Identity Dominance And Limited Hangouts
- David Petraeus pursued an “identity dominance” goal to collect biometrics on huge civilian populations.
- Limited disclosures by agencies often mask broader programs and constitute classic 'limited hangouts.'
NGO Funding Hid Intelligence Influence
- The CIA historically funded NGOs (e.g., the Asia Foundation) and used limited admissions to avoid full exposure.
- Limited hangouts let agencies admit a little while concealing systemic influence.
Smith-Mundt’s Protection Ended In 2012
- The Smith-Mundt firewall (1948) forbade domestic propaganda but was effectively repealed in 2012.
- Removing that protection let U.S. agencies more easily shape domestic narratives via social media.
