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TikTok has finally struck a deal to avoid being banned in the United States. Their privacy policy also got a controversial update. So, who owns US TikTok now? And what difference will it make to users?Also on the program, there’s a new social media site going viral – Upscrolled. What is this Australian-owned site, exactly? And finally, OpenAI is trialling ads on ChatGPT. The company’s CEO Sam Altman once said including ads would be a last resort. So does this mean the company is financially unstable? And what kind of data would they share with advertisers?Gianfranco references this The Information article about OpenAI burning through $115 billion through 2029.GUESTS:Meg Coffey, digital strategist and founder of State of Social.  Gianfranco Di Giovanni, ABC Radio Perth content director and an arts, gaming and tech reporter.This episode was produced on Gadigal land.

Plus! Social media site Digg is back. For those who remember, it may feel like returning to what was good about the internet. Is this the sign of a new era for social media? And how long can it hold out being monetised?Also, why gaming in a group, even publicly... outside, is becoming more popular.GUESTS:Phoebe Toups Dougas, associate professor of human-centred computing in the Exertion Games Lab at Monash University.Fergus Halliday, journalist at Whistleout and reviews.org Australia.This episode of Download This Show was produced on Gadigal land.

Jathan Sadowski, a senior lecturer and proud Luddite, dives deep into the structural challenges of opting out of online life, explaining how surveillance is embedded in our daily routines. He highlights that true privacy is a privilege few can afford, contrasting luxury surveillance versus imposed surveillance. Carly Kind, Australia's Privacy Commissioner, discusses her limited powers under federal law and the absence of a right to erasure in Australia while advocating for stronger privacy protections. Together, they reveal the complexities of navigating and reclaiming digital autonomy.

Dr. Katharine Kemp, a privacy law expert at UNSW, dives into the murky waters of consent and data practices, revealing the surprising data collection by connected cars. She highlights how companies interpret this data to infer sensitive personal information. Dr. Sky Croeser from Curtin University sheds light on user consent fatigue and the challenges of opting out, suggesting community-run platforms like Mastodon as ethical alternatives. Both guests advocate for more transparency and practical steps to reclaim control over our digital lives.

In this insightful discussion, cryptographer and privacy advocate Vanessa Teague breaks down the importance of end-to-end encryption and offers practical privacy tips, urging listeners to minimize app usage and social media oversharing. Cybersecurity consultant Carter Smith highlights common online vulnerabilities and emphasizes the risks of oversharing personal details. Together, they explore the necessity of strong passwords, the significance of password managers, and how generative AI is transforming cyber threats. A crucial listen for anyone looking to safeguard their digital life!

Lawrence Gentiello, the founder of Optery, shares insights on the challenges of removing personal data from the internet. He reveals how automated opt-out technologies can tackle numerous data brokers but highlights the complexities involved. John Payne, a digital rights advocate, discusses Australia's lax privacy laws compared to stronger protections in the EU. He emphasizes the difficulties in fully deleting online identities and suggests practical steps for enhancing digital privacy. Together, they explore the intricate dance of data control in the modern age.

Yael Grauer, an investigative tech reporter focused on privacy and security, teams up with Troy Hunt, creator of the breach-monitoring service Have I Been Pwned. They dive into the alarming extent of personal data available through people-search sites and discuss practical steps to audit your digital footprint. Troy shares insights on data breaches, urging listeners to check for risks and manage password hygiene. Together, they tackle the challenges of reclaiming online privacy in an age of inevitable data exposure.

It was a huge year for tech in 2025, and there were a few stories that hooked our attention more than others. The introduction of the social media ban, and the slow tease of details across the year about its implementation took up a significant chunk of our focus, while AI being embedded (to varying degrees of success) into absolutely everything meant that it was also impossible to escape. Join us to look back on the year that was, and attempt to predict the workings of the weird and wonderful world of tech in 2026.GUESTS:Cam Wilson, associate editor of Crikey and editor of the Sizzle newsletterJennifer Dudley-Nicholson, future economies reporter for the Australian Associated PressThis episode of Download This Show was made on Gadigal land and in Meanjin.Technical production by Craig Tilmouth and Riley Mellis.

With AI in our newsrooms, our universities, and our courtrooms, the way we understand the truth has been forever changed. But could it be for the better? Or have we embarked on an unstoppable march towards a new understanding of democracy. How do we democratise AI development when a handful of tech companies run the digital world? And could we implement government reforms in Australia to make this happen?GUESTS:Cory Alpert, former Biden–Harris administration staffer and current PhD researcher at the University of Melbourne, and host of the University of Melbourne's System ErrorProf. Daniel Angus, Professor of Digital Communication and Director of QUT's Digital Media Research Centre.This episode of Download This Show was made on Gadigal and Muwinina land.

If you were to picture the ideal robot form to vacuum your floor all by itself, what do you see? Is it a small UFO-shaped disc that whizzes under couches, or is it a humanoid robot with eyes and ears tracking your every move? The new 1X Neo robot has been launched and has been marketed as a 'robot butler', but what issues arise when we start making the tech that serves us look more and more human?  Also, a new AI chatbot designed for human companionship has been met with outright vitriol in New York. Friend is a wearable chatbot designed to literally replace human relationships, and people are not entirely on board. Plus, strict safety rules are set to be enforced for power banks on domestic flights, and Meta has just launched an AI briefing tool for Facebook users. GUESTS:Chris Berg, professor of economics at RMIT Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson, future economies reporter at the Australian Associated Press This episode of Download This Show was made on Gadigal land, in Meanjin and in Naarm.