What the Hack? Episode 231: WTH 2025: Laptop Farms, Campus Cults, and the End of Anonymity
Dec 23, 2025
Join experts Ben Winters, Amanda Garrett, Gary Warner, and Ken Westbrook as they delve into the darker side of technology and crime. Ben explores the alarming risks of algorithmic privacy and unregulated AI. Amanda uncovers North Korean laptop farms exploiting remote work for funding weapons. Gary reveals the violent world of Nigerian campus cults and their role in romance scams. Finally, Ken shares a personal story about his mother's devastating encounter with scareware and scams, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance against cyber threats.
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Episode notes
Algorithmic Personalization Shapes Belief
- Algorithmic personalization shapes beliefs by tailoring news, ads, and content to individuals.
- Ben Winters warns lack of regulation and sold personal data fuel manipulation and AI 'slop.'
Demand A Dedicated Data Regulator
- Push for regulatory institutions like a data protection agency rather than relying solely on the FTC.
- Ben Winters suggests preclearance or testing (an 'FDA for algorithms') to catch harms in credit, employment, and housing.
Tech Lobbying Shapes AI Lawmaking
- AI companies lobby to write or block rules and push broad federal preemption like multi-year moratoria.
- Ben Winters says those tactics show companies fear meaningful regulation and seek weak federal guardrails.