Micah Lee, a journalist and author known for his work during the Snowden document release, shares compelling insights on the intersection of journalism, ethics, and government surveillance. He discusses the challenges of handling sensitive information, especially in light of data leaks and the NSA's practices. Lee emphasizes the importance of strong security measures like HTTPS and reflects on the critical balance journalists must strike between public interest and privacy concerns. His commentary sheds light on the evolving landscape of privacy in the digital age.
The podcast highlights the importance of engaging listeners through annual surveys to tailor content based on audience feedback.
Exclusive bonus clips provide deeper insights into key topics, such as ethical considerations in journalism following Edward Snowden's revelations.
Discussions on healthcare privacy stress the need for HIPAA compliance in sharing personal health information on digital platforms.
Deep dives
Listener Engagement and Feedback
The episode highlights the host's intention to gather feedback from the audience through an annual listener survey. This engagement is crucial for understanding what listeners appreciate and what can be improved in future episodes. The host often incentivizes participation by offering a chance to win a free copy of their book. This initiative reflects the desire to foster a connection with the audience and tailor content to better meet their needs and interests.
Insights from Bonus Content
This episode features a unique selection of clips from the podcast's bonus content, typically exclusive to patrons. These snippets provide listeners with additional insights and perspectives from previous guests, enriching their understanding of the main interview topics. For example, one clip includes a discussion on Edward Snowden's journalistic impact during the release of classified documents, emphasizing the ethical considerations involved in such revelations. This showcases the podcast's effort to offer depth beyond the standard episodes.
Technological Innovations in Drones
A segment discusses advancements in drone technology, particularly focusing on the efficiency of fixed-wing drones compared to quadcopters. Fixed-wing drones are noted for their superior endurance capabilities, making them more suitable for various applications. The conversation delves into the fascinating possibilities of autonomous drones that can take off, hover, and land vertically, highlighting the innovation within the drone industry. This suggests a growing trend towards more capable and versatile drones for both commercial and recreational use.
Navigating Healthcare Privacy
Healthcare privacy is addressed through a conversation about trusting online web portals when sharing personal health information. The discussion underscores the importance of choosing HIPAA-compliant services, offering practical tips for consumers to evaluate their privacy safeguards. The overwhelming length and complexity of privacy policies are acknowledged as barriers for average users trying to understand their rights. This topic illuminates the ongoing challenges faced by individuals in ensuring their personal data remains secure in digital health environments.
Ethics in Technology Development
The conversation emphasizes the necessity of integrating ethics into STEM education, especially in technology fields. The host and a guest examine how ethical considerations can shape the development of technology, using historical examples to underscore the potential consequences of unregulated innovations. This dialogue advocates for a future where engineers and technologists are trained to think critically about their inventions and their societal impacts. The guest argues for a curriculum shift that includes ethical training, suggesting a movement toward a more responsible tech industry.
Every week, I record a special, private bonus podcast for my patrons. Until today, all of that content was restricted to my supporters. But today I’ve got a sampler platter of some of the best snippets from my bonus Q&A with my interview guests. You’ll hear from Micah Lee (author, journalist), Nick Weaver (cybersecurity researcher), Kate Black (health data specialist), Jason Edison (OSINT expert), Dani Cronce and Lizzie Moratti (TunnelVision hack), Bruce Schneier (cryptographer, author), and Carissa Véliz (author, professor).
Original Interview Links
Ep358: Micah Lee https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/01/08/investigating-data-leaks/
Ep360: Nick Weaver https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/01/22/rise-of-the-slaughterbots/
Ep368: Kate Black https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/03/18/health-data-privacy/
Ep386: Jason Edison https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/07/22/open-source-intelligence/
Ep388: Jack Daniel https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/08/05/catch-you-on-the-bside/
Ep396: Dani Cronce & Lizzie Moratti https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/09/30/tunnelvision-vpns-and-you/
Ep400: Bruce Schneier https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/10/28/episode-400-special/
Ep404: Carissa Véliz https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/11/25/privacy-is-power-2/
Related Links
Micah’s book: https://hacksandleaks.com/
Nick Weaver: https://www1.icsi.berkeley.edu/~nweaver/
Security BSides: https://bsides.org/w/page/12194156/FrontPage
Frankie’s Tiki Room (Las Vegas): https://frankiestikiroom.com/
Intel Techniques: https://inteltechniques.com/
TunnelVision: https://www.tunnelvisionbug.com/
Schneier Blog: https://www.schneier.com/
Privacy is Power: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/673341/privacy-is-power-by-carissa-veliz/
Further Info
Check out my book, Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons: https://fdsd.me/book
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://fdsd.me/newsletter
Become a patron! https://www.patreon.com/FirewallsDontStopDragons
Get your Firewalls Don’t Stop Dragons Merch! https://fdsd.me/merch
Give the gift of privacy and security: https://fdsd.me/coupons
Support our mission! https://fdsd.me/support
Table of Contents
Use these timestamps to jump to a particular section of the show.
0:00:24: New Years coming up
0:00:48: Show preview
0:02:33: Ep358: Micah Lee - the Snowden docs
0:11:48: Ep360: Nick Weaver - other types of killer drones
0:18:02: Ep368: Kate Black - how do you know if a site or app respects health privacy?
0:20:22: Ep386: Jason Edison - what's it like trying to protect the privacy of celebrities?
0:26:53: Ep388: Jack Daniel - the story of the Les Pukelele
0:33:39: Ep396: Dani Cronce & Lizzie Moratti - getting into hacking
0:42:08: Ep400: Bruce Schneier - can we ever make our devices secure out of the box?
0:48:01: Ep404: Cariss Veliz - should STEM students be required to take ethics classes?
0:53:05: Wrap-up
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
