Attack Ads! The Podcast I never cease to be amazed at how bad some corporate decisions are… until I finally figure out why those bad decisions were probably the best way for the company to make more money. I explore one revelation concerning my need to connect a simple device
Nov 19, 2025
Discover the dark side of corporate decisions and the surveillance that comes with modern devices. From decommissioned tech to the chaotic world of chat support, the host hilariously recounts his struggles with a streaming stick and a perplexing activation issue. Dive into the unsettling revelation about persistent listening enabled by an innocuous remote, while exploring privacy policies that offer little protection. Get ready for a thought-provoking discussion on how ad revenue shapes media and the surprising ways companies stay in control.
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Buying The 'Least Worst' Streaming Stick
- Jim describes buying a small streaming dongle to replace an obsolete DVR and trying to activate it.
- The device asked for an email activation but Jim never received the activation email despite repeated attempts.
Ten Hours In Chat Hell
- Jim spent many hours in chat support after the device failed to send the activation email.
- He logged ten hours total across multiple sessions before discovering the true issue.
Activation Emails Limited To Big Providers
- Jim deduces the activation emails are restricted to a short list of approved providers.
- The device likely never sent his email because his provider wasn't on that list.
