This Week in Privacy

Predictive AI w/ Carissa Véliz, Author of 'Privacy is Power' & 'Prophecy'

Privacy Guides — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:31:19 -0500

We recently interviewed Carissa Véliz, author of Privacy is Power and University of Oxford associate professor, to talk about how predictive AI will make a ‘meritocracy’ impossible, how lifelike chat bots are designed to deceive you, and the importance of privacy in the digital age. Her new book, ‘Prophecy,’ comes out on April 21st.

View on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E00mNfH75qM
Listen in your favorite podcast app: https://privacyinterviews.transistor.fm/episodes/predictive-ai-w-carissa-veliz-university-of-oxford-professor

The RSS feed for our audio interviews is separate from This Week in Privacy, you can find it at https://privacyinterviews.transistor.fm/subscribe

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Are Privacy Opt-Outs Useless?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:21:40 -0500

An independant privacy audit of Microsoft, Google and Meta has found that privacy opt outs didn’t have an effect, Cal.com has moved from open-source to closed-source, Netgear has been exempt from the FCC’s non-US made router ban, and more! Join us for This Week In Privacy #49.

(00:00) - Intro
(00:45) - Start of podcast
(01:19) - Google, Microsoft, Meta All Tracking You Even When You Opt Out, According to an Independent Audit
(18:05) - Sovereign Tech Agency funding (Mastodon)
(32:45) - Cal.com is going closed source. Here's why.
(39:26) - Discourse is Not Going Closed Source
(52:21) - Site updates
(58:16) - Republican Mutiny Sinks Trump's Push to Extend Warrantless Surveillance
(01:13:50) - 'No more excuses': Von Der Leyen says EU age checking app is ready
(01:26:40) - Gottheimer Announces Bipartisan "Parents Decide Act" to Protect Kids Online
(01:40:50) - Forum updates
(01:57:53) - Q&A
(02:14:13) - Outro

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Interview with EFF Executive Director Cindy Cohn

Privacy Guides — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0500

We recently interviewed Cindy Cohn, EFF Executive Director and author of her new memoir: “Privacy’s Defender: My Thirty-Year Fight Against Digital Surveillance”

View on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PFv0ki3nDc
Listen in your favorite podcast app: https://privacyinterviews.transistor.fm/episodes/defending-privacy-w-cindy-cohn-effs-executive-director

The RSS feed for our audio interviews is separate from This Week in Privacy, you can find it at https://privacyinterviews.transistor.fm/subscribe

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Why Does Microsoft Hate Security?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:15:15 -0500

Microsoft is suspending developer accounts for key privacy tools like VeraCrypt and Wireguard, Employers are using your personal data to figure out the lowest salary you’ll accept, and more! Welcome to This Week In Privacy #48!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:45) - Start of podcast
(01:09) - Microsoft Abruptly Terminates VeraCrypt Account, Halting Windows Updates
(18:53) - Employers are using your personal data to figure out the lowest salary you’ll accept
(36:51) - Site updates
(44:01) - Little Snitch for Linux - Because Nothing Else Came Close
(55:21) - Mini Q&A
(01:05:05) - FBI Extracts Suspect’s Deleted Signal Messages Saved in iPhone
(01:24:25) - Forum updates
(01:40:04) - Q&A
(01:58:06) - Outro

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Claude Code Leaked It's Own Source Code

Privacy Guides — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:32:42 -0500

Anthropic’s Claude Code just leaked it’s own source code, ONLYOFFICE suspends Nextcloud partnership, LinkedIn scans your browser extensions, and more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #47!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:42) - Start of podcast
(01:19) - Entire Claude Code CLI source code leaks thanks to exposed map file
(18:43) - California bill would require parent bloggers to delete content of minors on social media
(26:39) - Site updates
(30:13) - ONLYOFFICE suspends Nextcloud partnership for forking its project without permission
(43:24) - LinkedIn Is Illegally Searching Your Computer
(58:50) - A Secure Chat App’s Encryption Is So Bad It Is ‘Meaningless’
(01:11:26) - Forum updates
(01:27:08) - Q&A
(01:33:41) - Outro

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The US Bans New Foreign Made Routers?!

Privacy Guides — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 19:06:43 -0500

The US’s Federal Communications Commission has banned all foreign made routers stating their are not secure for use. Walmart digital price labels are coming to every store shelf in the US, Systemd has integrated age verification systems, and more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #46!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:37) - Start of podcast
(01:13) - The US government just banned consumer routers made outside the US
(23:31) - Systemd's New Feature Brings Age Verification Option to Linux
(38:11) - Site updates
(43:44) - HK police can now demand phone passwords under new national security rules
(49:56) - Jury finds Meta and Google negligent in social media harms trial
(01:11:23) - Forum updates
(01:29:56) - Q&A
(02:01:40) - Outro

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New Exploit Affects 220 Million iPhones

Privacy Guides — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 18:51:38 -0500

The ‘dark sword’ exploit affects over 220 million iPhones running outdated iOS versions, the FBI is buying location data to track US citizens, a Tennessee grandmother was jailed after an AI facial recognition error linked her to fraud, and much more, join us for This Week In Privacy #45!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:51) - Start of the podcast
(01:42) - Hundreds of Millions of iPhones Can Be Hacked With a New Tool Found in the Wild
(16:41) - FBI is buying location data to track US citizens, director confirms
(26:45) - Site updates
(31:54) - Google details new 24-hour process to sideload unverified Android apps
(56:47) - Should Banksy Remain Anonymous?
(01:06:22) - Forum updates
(01:33:47) - Q&A
(01:52:35) - Outro

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Chat Control is Finally Dead?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:50:40 -0500

European parliament MEPs vote to end untargeted mass scanning of private chats, is this the end of Chat Control? A new consortium wants to remove custom ROM hurdles with digital payment systems, and more! Join us for This Week In Privacy #44.

(00:00) - Intro
(00:44) - Start of podcast
(01:18) - Historic Chat Control Vote in the EU Parliament: MEPs Vote to End Untargeted Mass Scanning of Private Chats
(07:54) - Where are Jonah and Nate right now?
(09:42) - Paying without Google: New consortium wants to remove custom ROM hurdles
(15:11) - Site updates
(19:15) - DuckDuckGo is building it's own web search index
(26:44) - Forum updates
(27:27) - ProtonVPN macOS killswitch discussion
(45:07) - Q&A
(01:09:40) - Explaining what the event that Jonah & Nate are at is about
(01:12:02) - Outro

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GrapheneOS has a Hardware Partner!

Privacy Guides — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:36:09 -0600

GrapheneOS has announced who their official hardware partner is, a new US Californian law is says all operating systems must have age verification, and much more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #43!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:20) - Start of podcast
(00:57) - Motorola confirms GrapheneOS support for a future phone, bringing over features
(14:44) - iPhone and iPad aprpoved to handle classified NATO information
(23:25) - Meta sued over AI smart glasses' privacy concerns, nudity, sex, and other footage
(41:51) - Site updates
(49:35) - OpenAI changes deal with US military after backlash
(01:04:01) - Proton Mail Helped FBI Unmask Anonymous 'Stop Cop City' Protestor
(01:23:25) - Q&A
(01:57:17) - Outro

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Apple Rolls Out Age Verification Worldwide

Privacy Guides — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:11:56 -0600

Apple is verifying user’s ages to download R18+ apps and games on the app store globally to comply with age verification laws, people across the US are destroying and dismantling FLOCK cameras, Firefox has a new “block AI” switch to disable AI features, and much more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #42!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:21) - Start of podcast
(01:17) - Apple rolls out age-verification tools worldwide to comply with growing web of child safety laws
(32:24) - Open source registries don't have enough money to implement basic security
(47:46) - Site updates
(52:30) - Amazon Change Means Wishlists Might Expose Your Address
(59:26) - Across the US, people are dismantling and destroying Flock surveillance cameras
(01:09:17) - Quick updates
(01:12:42) - Forum updates
(01:33:30) - Q&A
(01:59:13) - Outro

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Meta's Smart Glasses Just Got Creepier

Privacy Guides — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:38:21 -0600

Meta plans to add facial recognition technology to their smart glasses, popular password managers fall short of their “zero knowledge” claims, Apple is testing end-to-end encryption with RCS in iOS 26.4 beta, and much more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #41!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:20) - Start of podcast
(01:38) - Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
(17:26) - Popular password managers fall short of “zero-knowledge” claims
(31:11) - iOS 26.3 adds unique new privacy feature, and it’s Apple at its best
(38:23) - Everything New in iOS 26.4 Beta 1
(45:11) - Site updates
(50:37) - Microsoft says bug causes Copilot to summarize confidential emails
(58:14) - Grok Exposed a Porn Performer’s Legal Name and Birthdate—Without Even Being Asked
(01:16:04) - Age verification laws quick update
(01:23:17) - Forum updates
(01:40:31) - Q&A
(01:43:34) - Outro

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Discord Wants Your ID!

Privacy Guides — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:53:19 -0600

Discord is facing backlash after requiring all users to provide ID to access age restricted servers and channels, this comes after Discord breached 70,000 of its users government ID documents, Apple is moving to remove anonymous chat apps from the App Store, and much more! Join us for This Week In Privacy #40.

(00:00) - Intro
(00:22) - Start of the podcast
(01:23) - Discord faces backlash over age checks after data breach exposed 70,000 IDs
(33:27) - Upgraded Google safety tools can now find and remove more of your personal info
(44:19) - Google recovers “deleted” Nest video in high-profile abduction case
(59:13) - Site updates
(01:02:11) - ‘Dystopian’ Ring Search Party feature sparks public backlash
(01:18:04) - Homeland Security Spying on Reddit Users
(01:36:27) - Forum updates & Q&A
(02:07:27) - Outro

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Apple's Lockdown Mode Blocked the FBI?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 18:38:14 -0600

The FBI Couldn’t Get into a reporter’s iPhone because it had lockdown mode enabled, RAM shortages have hit Raspberry Pi prices, more countries are rolling out Australia style under 16 social media bans, and much more! Join us for This Week In Privacy #39.

(00:00) - Intro
(00:23) - Start of the podcast
(01:12) - FBI Couldn’t Get into WaPo Reporter’s iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
(21:12) - Notepad++ update feature hijacked by Chinese state hackers for months
(31:40) - Site updates
(42:02) - Ongoing RAM crisis prompts Raspberry Pi’s second price hike in two months
(55:57) - You won: Microsoft is walking back Windows 11’s AI overload - scaling down Copilot and rethinking Recall in a major shift
(01:09:28) - Spain & Greece announce plans to ban social media for under-16s
(01:13:53) - Forum updates
(01:32:49) - Q&A
(01:45:56) - Outro

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WhatsApp Is Not Really Encrypted?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 19:00:07 -0600

WhatsApp encryption is coming under scrutiny, French lawmakers are pushing an under-15s social media ban, TikTok’s privacy policy has gotten worse after it has been bought by American investors, and much more! Join us for This Week In Privacy #38.

(00:00) - Intro
(00:21) - Start of podcast
(01:12) - Site updates
(04:47) - Lawsuit Alleges That WhatsApp Has No End-to-End Encryption
(19:04) - French lawmakers vote to ban social media use by under-15s
(36:23) - UK Lords vote to ban VPNs for children as pressure on the privacy tools increases
(49:57) - AI and facial recognition to be rolled out as Britain’s ‘broken’ policing system faces sweeping reforms
(01:03:12) - TikTok Is Now Collecting Even More Data About Its Users. Here Are the 3 Biggest Changes
(01:17:26) - Forum & Community Updates
(01:20:32) - Q&A
(01:50:46) - A Message from Privacy Guides' Program Director
(01:54:07) - Outro

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Why is Bitwarden Raising Prices?

Privacy Guides — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 11:12:03 -0600

Bitwarden is raising prices, Microsoft handed over encryption keys to the FBI, U.S. ICE agents are misidentifying people with facial recognition, and much more! Join us for This Week in Privacy #37!

(00:00) - Introduction
(00:22) - Start of Podcast
(01:50) - Site Updates
(04:42) - Bitwarden launches enhanced premium plan
(17:02) - Predator Spyware Turns Failed Attacks Into Intelligence for Future Exploits
(22:33) - Ireland wants to give its cops spyware, ability to crack encrypted messages
(31:48) - Microsoft Gave FBI Keys To Unlock Encrypted Data, Exposing Major Privacy Flaw
(43:32) - One of the first alternative app stores in the EU is shutting down
(49:30) - A Bundle of ICE Stories
(01:09:51) - Q&A
(01:32:03) - Outro

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Did Signal's Founder Create the Most Private AI?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:35:50 -0600

Moxie Marlinspike has created a private AI alternative called Confer, Windscribe has helped form a privacy alliance, Threema got acquired by Comitis Capital, E2EE comes to RCS messaging on iOS 26.3, and much more! Join us for This Week in Privacy #36!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:21) - Start of podcast
(01:10) - Site updates
(05:57) - Signal creator Moxie Marlinspike wants to do for AI what he did for messaging
(30:13) - Windscribe Partners with Kagi, Notesnook, Addy.io, and Ente to Create a Privacy-Focused Alliance
(46:09) - Comitis Capital announces the acquisition of Threema
(01:01:09) - Encrypted RCS Spotted in iOS 26.3 Beta
(01:08:36) - Google’s Gemini to power Apple’s AI features like Siri
(01:20:18) - Never-before-seen Linux malware is “far more advanced than typical”
(01:27:00) - Forum updates
(01:31:00) - Q&A
(01:45:16) - Outro

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Is Google Abandoning Open Source?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:42:05 -0600

Google is changing how they release Android Open Source Project code, California is introducing a way for people to mass opt-out of data brokers, cryptocurrency theft attacks are still being traced to the 2022 Lastpass breach and much more! Join us for This Week in Privacy #35!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:19) - Start of podcast
(01:20) - Site updates
(05:08) - Breaking: Google will now only release Android source code twice a year
(22:12) - Italy Fines Cloudflare €14 Million for Refusing to Filter Pirate Sites on Public 1.1.1.1 DNS
(44:07) - The nation’s strictest privacy law just took effect, to data brokers’ chagrin
(54:36) - Founder of spyware maker pcTattletale pleads guilty to hacking and advertising surveillance software
(01:08:20) - Cryptocurrency theft attacks traced to 2022 LastPass breach
(01:19:45) - Forum updates
(01:32:47) - Q&A
(01:54:45) - Outro

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What Will the EU Do Next?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 18:31:43 -0600

Happy New Year! Join us for This Week in Privacy #34!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:23) - Start of podcast
(01:41) - Simon Harris says Ireland to lead EU drive for ID-verified social media
(22:20) - France targets Australia-style social media ban for children next year
(41:30) - Hacker claims to leak WIRED database with 2.3 million records
(48:35) - Texas father rescues kidnapped 15-year-old daughter after tracking her phone’s location
(01:00:37) - Trump administration removes three spyware-linked executives from sanctions list
(01:12:54) - Forum updates
(01:27:05) - Q&A
(01:49:40) - Outro

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Flock Exposes Mass Surveillance Cameras to the Internet

Privacy Guides — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:06:08 -0600

Happy holidays! Join us for This Week in Privacy #33!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:22) - Start of podcast
(01:09) - Site updates
(04:00) - Flock Exposed Its AI-Powered Cameras to the Internet
(23:14) - Pa. high court rules on Google searches without a warrant
(40:15) - EU prepares ground for wider data retention & VPN targets
(56:48) - Judge blocks Texas app store age verification law
(01:11:38) - South Korea to require face scans for SIM cards
(01:24:17) - Forum highlights
(01:39:56) - Q&A
(02:05:43) - Outro

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The West Is Trying To Destroy The Internet

Privacy Guides — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 18:53:17 -0600

The US is moving towards implementing unprecedented surveillance bills, Texas sues TV makers for taking screenshots of what people watch, UK lawmakers are targeting VPNs in the Online Safety Act debate, and much more! Join us for This Week in Privacy #32!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:22) - Start of podcast
(09:50) - UK MPs target VPNs in latest Online Safety Act debate
(18:13) - UK to “encourage” Apple and Google to put nudity-blocking systems on phones
(29:36) - Creating apps like Signal or WhatsApp could be 'hostile activity,' claims UK watchdog
(37:20) - Samourai Wallet founders face prison after guilty plea
(57:11) - Berlin Approves New Expansion of Police Surveillance Powers
(01:14:15) - Mozilla’s new CEO says AI is coming to Firefox, but will remain a choice
(01:30:37) - Q&A
(02:15:46) - Outro

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Can You Get Arrested For Wiping Your Phone?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:14:01 -0600

A man is being charged for wiping his phone before being arrested, India is considering enabling GPS tracking on all mobile devices, a remote code execution vulnerability is exploiting over 30 organisations and 70k IP addresses, RAM shortages are causing massive increases in RAM costs, and much more, join us for This Week In Privacy #31!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:22) - Start of podcast
(01:47) - Site updates
(05:30) - Atlanta activist charged with wiping phone before CBP search
(21:46) - Australia bans teens from social media, but nobody thinks it’ll really work
(41:46) - AI browsing in Brave Nightly now available for early testing
(57:04) - Tourists to US would have to reveal five years of social media activity under new Trump plan
(01:09:13) - India considers enforcing A-GPS on Mobile Devices
(01:15:38) - React2Shell flaw exploited to breach 30 orgs, 77k IP addresses vulnerable
(01:24:04) - Forum updates
(01:29:01) - Q&A
(01:44:08) - Outro

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Session Is Getting A Major Privacy & Security Boost!

Privacy Guides — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:35:32 -0600

Session Messenger is getting a major privacy & security upgrade, age verification laws are shifting responsibility onto App Stores, Apple rejects India’s government request to preload devices with a “cyber safety app”, and much more, join us for This Week In Privacy #30!

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GrapheneOS Desktop Mode is Here!

Privacy Guides — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 22:47:40 -0600

GrapheneOS now has expanded desktop mode features in beta, X (Twitter) has been doxing user’s locations, Android’s Quick Share is now compatible with Apple’s AirDrop and much more, join us for This Week In Privacy #29!

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We've Hired Someone New!

Privacy Guides — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 23:46:46 -0600

Welcoming Nate Bartram to Privacy Guides! Also: WhatsApp is rolling out interoperable messaging in the EU, Windows 11 is rolling out an AI agent that scans your files and folders, and much more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #28!

Nate has been publishing resources at The New Oil for many years now, and is the former host of the Surveillance Report podcast. We’re really excited about our plans going forward into 2026, and we shared a bunch of them in this podcast!

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Firefox Just Got More Privacy Defences!

Privacy Guides — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 19:22:57 -0600

Firefox is rolling out additional anti-fingerprinting detection, Chat Control is back and is being pushed through the EU Government, and much more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #27!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:19) - Start of podcast
(01:20) - Site updates
(05:10) - Mozilla's Firefox 145 is heeeeeere: Buffs up privacy, bloats AI
(13:15) - Firefox adds AI Window, users want AI wall to keep it out
(25:23) - The wait is over: Android 16 QPR1’s source code is now available on AOSP
(36:23) - The Disguised Return of The EU’s Private Message Scanning Plot
(47:53) - How to Stop Chat Control
(51:08) - Breaking: Google is easing up on Android’s new sideloading restrictions!
(54:52) - Elon Musk’s X botched security key switchover, locking users out
(01:01:25) - Forum updates
(01:11:08) - Q&A
(01:37:48) - Outro

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Data Brokers Leak Location Data of Top EU Officials?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:00:00 -0600

EU officials’ location data is up for sale, the United States declines to join the UN Cybercrime treaty, Chrome can now autofill your passport and drivers license, Tinder is scanning user’s camera rolls with AI to get to know them better, and much more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #26!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:18) - Start of podcast
(01:36) - Site updates
(05:49) - EU officials’ location data is for sale, report says
(21:05) - US declines to join more than 70 countries in signing UN cybercrime treaty
(38:49) - Chrome can now autofill your passport, driver’s licence, and vehicle registration info
(52:13) - Tinder to use AI to get to know users, tap into their Camera Roll photos
(01:04:46) - Q&A
(01:38:04) - Outro

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NOYB files criminal complaint against Clearview AI

Privacy Guides — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 16:00:00 -0500

Our top stories this week:

NOYB files criminal complaint against Clearview.ai
Denmark withdraws mandatory chat control proposal due to lack of support.
Apple to implement ads into Apple Maps in 2026, but warns that App Tracking Transparency could be disabled in the European Union
Police use Flock cameras to wrongfully accuse Denver woman of theft
Signal President Meredith Whittaker claims that AWS servers are “unavoidable”

https://www.privacyguides.org/livestreams/2025/10/31/noyb-files-criminal-complaint-against-clearview-police-ai-leads-to-false-accusation-apple-plans-ads-for-maps-and-more/

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OpenAI's Creepy All Seeing Browser

Privacy Guides — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 23:00:00 -0500

Our top stories this week:

OpenAI launches Atlas Browser for macOS
AWS shutdown shutters Signal and smart beds alike
Wisconsin lawmakers introduces VPN ban
Apple removes Tea and TeaOnHer on the App Store

https://www.privacyguides.org/livestreams/2025/10/25/openai-launches-creepy-ai-browser-aws-shutters-signal-and-smart-mattresses-u-s-states-introduce-vpn-ban-bills-and-more/

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Who is Building the Official GrapheneOS Phone?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 19:11:11 -0500

Our top stories this week:

GrapheneOS confirms that will support a non-Pixel flagship phone in 2026 with the Snapdragon SOC
Eclypsium, an embedded security firm, reports that Framework laptops are vulnerable to a Secure Boot bug affecting around 200,000 devices
Mozilla implements Google Lens and Perplexity AI into Firefox
Researchers disclose a proof-of-concept attack called “Pixsnapping”, which allows hackers to steal 2FA codes without additional permissions.

https://www.privacyguides.org/livestreams/2025/10/18/official-grapheneos-phone-framework-secure-boot-flaw-perplexity-ai-in-firefox/

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The End of Windows Local Accounts?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 21:20:00 -0500

Our top stories this week:

Microsoft blocks the ability to bypass online accounts on Windows 11
Germany confirms its opposition to Chat Control; the European Union withdraws the proposal due to insufficient support.
Hackers breach Discord support tickets, leaking 70,000 age verification documents
A group of American investors have acquired the NSO Group, giving a lifeline to the spyware firm after a series of crippling lawsuit decisions.

https://www.privacyguides.org/livestreams/2025/10/11/the-end-of-windows-local-accounts-eu-drops-chat-control-more/

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Could This Be the End of F-Droid?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 23:08:21 -0500

Our top stories this week:

F-Droid warns that Google’s mandatory developer registration would destroy the project.
Google confirms that there will be free and paid tiers for developer registration. However, FOSS developers may need to pay after a certain number of downloads.
Apple receives another technical capabilities notice by the UK to implement a backdoor into iCloud’s Advanced Data Protection Program. This time, it will only target British users.
AMD and Intel CPU were discovered to be vulnerable against physical attacks. The companies refuse to implement a fix as they are “out-of-scope”.

https://www.privacyguides.org/livestreams/2025/10/04/could-this-be-the-end-of-f-droid/

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Who Really Owns Your TikTok Data Now?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 22:27:07 -0500

https://www.privacyguides.org/livestreams/2025/09/27/who-really-owns-your-tiktok-data-now/

Our top stories this week:

A new report reveals that a TikTok deal has been signed. Oracle will hold a controlling stake and manage security of U.S. customer data despite concerns over their CEO’s supportive statements on mass surveillance.
Firefox 143 for Android will introduce DNS-Over-HTTPS, finally matching their desktop counterparts.
Microsoft cuts off Azure access to an elite Israeli military intelligence unit after an investigation reveals that it was being used for civilian mass surveillance.
The UK government announced plans for mandatory digital ID for all UK residents. In response, over 500,000 petition signatures were raised opposing its implementation.

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Governments Tie Your Account to Your ID, Free Speech Dies

Privacy Guides — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:00:00 -0500

Governments are all trying to tie your accounts to your ID. Critics of Charlie Kirk are being doxxed, showing the problems with real name identification online and how it threatens free expression. Microsoft is forcing Microsoft Copilot onto every Windows PC, ChatGPT might soon require your ID, and much more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #19!

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Tor VPN and Signal Backups Beta Released

Privacy Guides — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:00:00 -0500

The Tor Project has officially released a new app called Tor VPN, Signal has released chat backup now in beta, Bluesky is caving to new age verification laws, and much more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #18!

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Proton is Launching Another Product Already?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:00:00 -0500

Proton is rolling out Proton Meet to visionary subscribers, with a public release coming soon. Google avoids getting broken up in their anti-trust case but must share search data with competitors, Switzerland is creating their own “ethical” AI model and much more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #17!

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Could This Be the End of Android Sideloading?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 16:00:00 -0500

Google is planning to require developers to verify their identity before their apps can be side-loaded. The FTC is warning tech giants not to bow to encryption backdoor pressure. A huge amount of malicious apps have been discovered on Google Play and much more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #16!

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Clickjacking: A Major Password Manager Flaw?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 16:00:00 -0500

Is your password manager auto-fill extension leaking your secrets? Chat Control is back, and the EU council is set to vote on the proposal in two months. Encrypted messaging between Android and iOS devices is almost a reality, and much more. Join us for This Week In Privacy #15!

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Is YouTube's New AI Judging What You Watch?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 16:00:00 -0500

YouTube is using AI to identify if you are underage to request age verification, GitHub just got less independent from Microsoft, Wikipedia might end up requiring age verification, and much more, join us for This Week In Privacy #14!

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CalyxOS Falters - What's Next for Custom Android?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:00:00 -0500

CalyxOS has announced they will be pausing their releases, Google is cracking open android after they were found to have an illegal monopoly, Firefox extensions are being used for phishing attacks and much more, join us for This Week In Privacy #13!

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ID Verification - A Major Threat to Privacy

Privacy Guides — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 16:00:00 -0500

Tea, a dating and women’s safety app had a huge breach of it’s users ID documents, highlighting how risky adding ID verification can be when it comes to user privacy. The UK is cracking down on VPNs after their usage has skyrocketed due to age verification, the Australian government is threatening Signal, and much more, join us for This Week In Privacy #12!

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Proton Released A New Privacy Product?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:00:00 -0500

Proton released a new privacy product called Lumo, the UK is backing down on it’s ban on Apple’s ADP, Mastodon just got a neat feature to increase it’s sustainability and much more, join us for This Week In Privacy #11!

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Chrome OS & Android Are Merging?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 16:00:00 -0500

ChromeOS & Android are merging, Chrome extensions are being used as infostealers, Linux reaches 5% marketshare and much more. Welcome back to This Week In Privacy #10!

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The End of Anonymous Search?

Privacy Guides — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 16:00:00 -0500

Search engines may start requiring ID verification in Australia. The sustainable smartphone, the Fairphone 6, has finally landed in the US. Law enforcement in a certain country is targeting GrapheneOS users, and much more. Welcome back to This Week In Privacy #9!

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Skiff Mail is shutting down

Privacy Guides — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0600

Livestreamed on February 11, 2024

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Australian Traffic Drones, Edge Stealing Tabs, & More!

Privacy Guides — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:26:00 -0600

Livestreamed on February 7, 2024

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The police are using fake AI faces to identify suspects, Mozilla is angry, & More!

Privacy Guides — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0600

Livestreamed on January 27, 2024

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v3.19 Update, Swiss Surveillance, Brave Updates & More!

Privacy Guides — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0600

Livestreamed on January 20, 2024

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AirDrop Encryption Cracked, Reddit asked for IPs, & More...

Privacy Guides — Sat, 13 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0600

Livestreamed on January 13, 2024

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Age Verification Laws, Surveillance Legislation, & More...

Privacy Guides — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0600

Livestreamed on January 6, 2024

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Congress Pulls Surveillance Bill, LogoFAIL Exploit, & More...

Privacy Guides — Sat, 16 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0600

Livestreamed on December 16, 2023 on YouTube.

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This Week in Privacy #1

Privacy Guides — Sat, 09 Dec 2023 12:00:00 -0600

Livestreamed on December 9, 2023

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