Techlore Surveillance Report
Techlore
Techlore Surveillance Report is your weekly deep-dive into the privacy and security news that matters for your digital freedom. Hosted by Henry Fisher, founder of Techlore and long-time digital rights educator, each episode cuts through the noise with carefully selected stories, context, analysis, and historical perspective.
Topics include: privacy tool updates and vulnerabilities, data breaches, surveillance technology and government overreach, Big Tech privacy policies, encryption standards, digital rights legislation, and corporate data accountability.
Whether you're just starting to take privacy seriously or you're a seasoned expert tracking the ecosystem, Surveillance Report delivers the weekly news you need. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe and join the community at techlore.tech
Topics include: privacy tool updates and vulnerabilities, data breaches, surveillance technology and government overreach, Big Tech privacy policies, encryption standards, digital rights legislation, and corporate data accountability.
Whether you're just starting to take privacy seriously or you're a seasoned expert tracking the ecosystem, Surveillance Report delivers the weekly news you need. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe and join the community at techlore.tech
Episodes
Mentioned books
15 snips
Feb 9, 2021 • 39min
Amazon & Google Are Taking Over the Streets! - Surveillance Report 29
A massive unemployment data breach in Washington exposed 1.6 million claims, prompting urgent credit freezes. In Brazil, a staggering leak affected 220 million citizens along with vehicle and company records. Amazon reported an 800% increase in government data requests, raising privacy alarms as Ring expands its partnerships with US police. The podcast also examines the implications of facial recognition technology solving a decades-old puzzle and debates the future risks of encryption and DNA evidence in prosecutions.
19 snips
Feb 1, 2021 • 33min
Criminals Spreading Ransomware Through Dead People? - Surveillance Report 28
Ransomware is taking a dark turn with criminals exploiting the accounts of deceased individuals to spread malware. The Nitro PDF database leak underscores the importance of strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Rising DDoS threats mimic ransomware tactics, while the fallout from the SolarWinds breach continues to impact security vendors. Meanwhile, Apple's new privacy features aim to tackle zero-click attacks. Concerns grow over misleading App Store privacy labels and the ethics of facial recognition in banking.
25 snips
Jan 26, 2021 • 39min
Signal WENT VIRAL! Ft. The New Oil - Surveillance Report 27
This week, Nathan from The New Oil, an expert in privacy resources and practical security, joins the conversation. They dive into the implications of the OpenWRT breach, stressing the need for strong passwords and 2FA. The fallout from ransomware attacks, including the Scottish agency case, reveals how even firms with backups sometimes pay ransoms to prevent data leaks. They also explore alarming trends like malicious collaboration apps targeting remote workers and US intelligence's purchase of location data. Tune in for essential privacy insights!
10 snips
Dec 11, 2020 • 1h 50min
Nicholas Merrill, Founder of Calyx Institute - Full-Length Interview
Nicholas Merrill, founder of the Calyx Institute and privacy advocate, shares his journey from ISP operator to championing digital rights. He discusses challenging an FBI gag order, emphasizing the importance of privacy technologies. Merrill expresses skepticism about cryptocurrencies, likening them to the dot-com bubble, and underscores Calyx's focus on building privacy tools over legal battles. He also highlights the emotional toll of secrecy, drawing parallels with Edward Snowden, and addresses the digital divide through community hotspots.
17 snips
Dec 8, 2020 • 18min
Amazon Now Has Its Dystopia! - Surveillance Report 26
Discover the unsettling implications of Amazon Sidewalk, which opts users into a neighborhood IoT network. Explore Microsoft's controversial productivity tracking features that sparked a privacy backlash. Delve into Google's new RCS encryption, aiming for better communication security. Learn about major data breaches affecting health data in Brazil and driver's records in Texas. Plus, get the latest on Trezor's Tor integration and the push for better IoT security regulations in the US.
9 snips
Nov 15, 2020 • 17min
Apple & MacOS Big Sur Spy on Every App!? - Surveillance Report 25
Discover the alarming revelations about Android's background data use impacting users with limited plans. Dive into the scandal around Zoom’s misleading encryption claims, resulting in FTC intervention. Uncover Mac Big Sur's controversial data leaks that raise serious privacy concerns. Explore Apple's historic PRISM connections and how they relate to current privacy debates. Plus, learn about the risks from exposed voter data in a recent campaign site mishap. Stay informed about the ongoing battle for digital privacy!
16 snips
Nov 8, 2020 • 19min
Google Got a VPN! - Surveillance Report 24
This week, Google's new VPN raises trust questions among subscribers. Zoom is rolling out end-to-end encryption for its meetings, but with some limitations. Meanwhile, a PS4 update allows recording of voice chats, sparking gamer outrage. Research reveals vulnerabilities in mobile browsers, while disturbing revelations about password sharing post-breakup surface. In regulatory news, Portland bans facial recognition, and California expands privacy laws, while China's surveillance drones blur ethical lines. Plus, surprising malicious code discovered in an ad blocker may compromise user accounts.
10 snips
Oct 11, 2020 • 12min
Tutanota Pressured Into Backdoor & Fought! - Surveillance Report 23
This week dives into H&M's hefty GDPR fine for excessive employee surveillance. Tutanota faces pressure to implement a backdoor, but stands firm against prosecution threats. Tesla's interior camera sparks privacy concerns, revealing potential driver monitoring issues. The latest research uncovers vulnerabilities in antivirus software, including Windows Defender. Plus, investigations reveal the IRS's warrantless use of location data, while Google hands over user search data to authorities, raising alarms about privacy.
15 snips
Oct 4, 2020 • 28min
Privacy & Security News (2 MONTHS GALORE) - Surveillance Report 22
This week covers a whirlwind of privacy and security news. Instagram faces lawsuits for unauthorized camera use and retained messages. OnePlus gets attention for shipping unremovable Facebook services, while TikTok's ownership drama unfolds amid privacy concerns. Zoom's encryption claims are challenged in court, and Amazon's employee surveillance practices raise eyebrows. Furthermore, the episode discusses alarming data tactics by various agencies and the implications of a facial recognition breach at DHS. Plus, there's a highlight on Mozilla's struggles and Brave's growth!
8 snips
Sep 17, 2020 • 25min
Interviewing Pierre Valade: CEO of Jumbo Privacy
In a riveting discussion, Pierre Valade, CEO and co-founder of Jumbo Privacy, shares his journey from creating Sunrise Calendar to founding Jumbo, motivated by privacy incidents like Cambridge Analytica. He explains how Jumbo simplifies user privacy while allowing people to use mainstream platforms. Valade emphasizes the importance of intuitive design for convenience and advocates for stronger privacy defaults and user control. He envisions a future where Jumbo becomes unnecessary, as trust in privacy brands grows and regulatory changes improve user safety.
