Official Website: https://psysecure.com/podcast/Welcome to The Lockdown. Privacy doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. The inability to attain extreme levels of pr...
022 - Deep Dive into Session Private Messenger with Co-Founder Kee Jefferys
In this week’s episode, we take a deep dive into Session, a private messaging app, with its co-founder Kee Jefferys. We discuss the philosophy behind Session, its technical architecture, and the broader implications of privacy in a world increasingly hostile to anonymous communication. Kee shares insights on the importance of decentralized networks, the risks of phone number-based messaging, and the role of cryptocurrency in supporting private infrastructure.We also touch on operational security (OPSEC), the real-world challenges of getting people to adopt privacy tools, and how Session is working to improve usability while maintaining strong privacy protections.In this week’s episode:Session Private Messenger – Kee Jefferys explains the origins of Session, its core principles, and how it differs from mainstream messaging apps.The Future of Privacy – Discussion on surveillance, government censorship, and the increasing crackdown on privacy tools.Decentralized Messaging – How Session uses a global network of nodes to provide anonymous and resilient communication.Session Pro & Sustainability – Monetization strategies for Session and how the network sustains itself without compromising user privacy.Avoiding the Privacy Valley of Despair – How privacy-conscious users can avoid burnout and find a practical balance.Censorship & Government Interference – Addressing Russia’s blocking of Session nodes and strategies to bypass censorship.Show Links:Download Session - https://getsession.orgSession Lite Paper - https://getsession.org/litepaperSupport the Show on Patreon - https://patreon.com/TheLockdownFollow Kee on X - https://x.com/JefferysKeeUntil they become conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.- George Orwell, 1984Podcast music: The R3cluse
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021 - Digital Minimalism and Why Your Messages Aren't Really Private
In this week's episode we dive deep into both the psychological and privacy implications of social media apps. I reflect on my observations during recent travels, and explore how social media platforms are distorting human connections while simultaneously collecting vast amounts of personal data.The episode also tackles the technical aspects of email systems to the limitations of encrypted messaging apps, providing practical advice for maintaining privacy.In this week's episode:Listener Questions - Deep dive into pfSense vs OPNsense, mobile VPN usage, and dealing with license plate readersSocial Media Privacy - Analysis of social media's psychological impact and privacy issues with data collection practicesProper Account Deletion - Step-by-step guide for securely deleting social media accountsSock Puppet Accounts - Maintaining anonymous online identitiesEmail Privacy - Historical perspective and current state of email securityWhatsApp Security - A discussion on encryption and device securityShow Links:Support the Show on Patreon - https://patreon.com/TheLockdownGrapheneOS - https://grapheneos.orgThe Neuroscience of Engagement - https://medium.com/design-bootcamp/the-neuroscience-of-engagement-b50531a9313b"The right information at the right time is deadlier than any weapon."- Dolores Abernathy (Westworld)
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020 - The State of Privacy in 2025
This week on The Lockdown, The Practical Privacy & Security Podcast, we’re kicking off the new year with reflections, updates, and a deep dive into key privacy issues that are shaping 2025. From privacy settings on iOS and GrapheneOS, to AI assistants and their potential privacy pitfalls, this episode covers practical advice, insights, and solutions for everyday users. Additionally, I explore new state-level privacy laws across the U.S. and what they mean for both businesses and individuals.In this week’s episode:Reflecting on personal privacy practices and professional projects.A look at U.S. state privacy regulations taking effect in 2025.Privacy and security implications of voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant.Detailed privacy settings for iOS and why GrapheneOS is the better alternative.AI assistants like ChatGPT and Claude, and their risks.Privacy concerns with vehicles, focusing on data leaks and constant surveillance.The intersection of cybersecurity and OSINT in modern attacks.Show Links:Apple offers $95 million in Siri privacy violation settlementAmazon to pay $31 million in privacy violation penalties for Alexa voice assistant and Ring cameraNulide / FindMyDevice · GitLabBritish journalist could face years in prison for refusing to hand over his passwords to the police - Il Fatto QuotidianoVolkswagen EV data leak exposes personal information of 3.3 million peopleTesla data helped police after Las Vegas truck explosion, but experts have wider privacy concernsSupport this show: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheLockdownOfficial website: https://psysecure.com/podcast/"If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself."-George OrwellPodcast music: The R3cluse
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019 - A Conversation with Luke Mulks from Brave Software
In this episode I speak with Luke Mulks, who is the VP of Business Operations at Brave Software. We discuss the privacy concerns over traditional web-based ads, and why Brave is offering a privacy-first alternative. Show Links:Brave Software: https://brave.com/podcast/ The Brave Technologist Podcast: https://brave.com/podcast/"Well who's gonna monitor the monitors of the monitors?" - Carla Dean (Enemy of the State)Podcast music: Recluse by Ray Heffer
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018 - Back to the Basics and not Overthinking Privacy
In this episode, we go back to the basics as I discuss what I would do today if I were starting from scratch. It begins with deleting social media accounts, especially Facebook. Additionally, we have an update from Optery in response to listener feedback.We discuss tools like LibreWolf, Brave, and GrapheneOS, and compare privacy approaches for mobile devices, including Pixel and iPhone. A segment is dedicated to starting a privacy-first journey, from deleting social media accounts to adopting secure communication and password management practices. The episode also touches on how AI, including large language models (LLMs), is reshaping privacy concerns by building highly accurate profiles of users.In this week’s episode:Don't overthink privacy, especially web browsers with Brave, Firefox, and LibreWolfBack to the basics starting with deleting social mediaPixel vs iPhone (GrapheneOS)Show Links:Self-hosting Nextcloud: https://psysecure.com/self-hosting-nextlcoudLibreWolf: https://librewolf.net/GrapheneOS: https://grapheneos.org/Meta fined $1.3b: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/22/business/meta-facebook-eu-privacy-fine.htmlSurveillance Watch: https://www.surveillancewatch.io/"The world outside, the world that you know, it’s gone. It doesn’t exist." – Christof Podcast music: Recluse by Ray Heffer
Official Website: https://psysecure.com/podcast/Welcome to The Lockdown. Privacy doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. The inability to attain extreme levels of privacy shouldn’t deter one from taking any protective measures at all. The show is hosted by Ray Heffer, an expert in the field of privacy and cybersecurity, with each episode touching on a range of topics such as data privacy, password management, and secure browsing habits. Tin-foil hats are optional!