The Lockdown - Practical Privacy & Security

In this final episode of The Lockdown, I reflect on the journey of the podcast, and explaining why I’m redirecting my energy to other projects. I discuss the importance of practical privacy measures, measures over an ‘all-or-nothing’ approach, as well as sharing my thoughts on threat modeling, and address several listener questions about privacy tools and self-hosting. I also introduce a new concept from my recent blog post about the “space between” in cybersecurity, examining how compartmentalization of identities can serve as an early warning system against social engineering attacks.In this week’s episode:Why this is the final episodeThe all-or-nothing fallacyAirport facial recognition and the Clearview AI threatThreat modeling for different life situationsThe CIA triad and why 100% security doesn’t existUK and Swiss digital ID systems and their privacy implicationsNPM breach case study and the psychology of social engineeringWhy organizations should compartmentalize communication channelsListener Q&A: MySudo virtual cards, self-hosting setup, and mobile hotspotsThe new Privacy Tools page on PsySecure.comMatrix Community RoomsMatrix Community Space - https://matrix.to/#/#psysecure:matrix.orgIndividual Room Links:https://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-intro:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-podcast:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-general:matrix.orgShow Links:Privacy Tools Page - https://psysecure.com/privacytools/PsySecure ODSF Framework - https://odsf.psysecure.com"The Space Between" Blog Post - https://psysecure.com/ma-the-space-between-breachesSwiss E-ID System Information - https://www.bk.admin.chCyber Kill Chain (Lockheed Martin) - https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/cyber/cyber-kill-chain.htmlRobert Cialdini's Principles of Persuasion - https://www.influenceatwork.comDaniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow - https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555“Nothing in life is as important as you think it is when you are thinking about it.”- Daniel Kahneman, Thinking, Fast and Slow  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, I share news from my recent trip to the UK, noticing how it seems to have reached the epic proportions of a Black Mirror episode; from the absurd TV licensing program to the new Digital ID Brit cards that will track your behavior. I also explore how the UK may be serving as a testing ground for new levels of behavioral surveillance that could eventually spread globally. I dive into California’s $900 “smart” license plates that track your every move, centralized government digital currencies, and my predictions for the next 20 years of Orwellian surveillance.Support the show on Patreon!In this week’s episode:The UK’s TV licensing system: Legal extortion through private contractorsThe Reviver R-plate: $900 to track yourself in California and ArizonaBrit Cards: UK’s new “voluntary” Digital ID systemThe Bank of England’s digital pound and programmable moneyHistorical patterns of control: From land ownership to neural interfacesWhy the UK is the blueprint for global surveillance rolloutPredictions for the next 20-50 years of biosurveillanceMatrix Community RoomsMatrix Community Space - https://matrix.to/#/#psysecure:matrix.orgIndividual Room Links:https://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-intro:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-podcast:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-general:matrix.orgShow Links:PsySecure ODSF Framework - https://odsf.psysecure.comLCD License Plate (not privacy friendly!) - https://reviver.com/rplate/Black Mirror S03E01 "Nosedive" - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5497778/Bank of England's Digital Pound - https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/the-digital-poundBrit Card Digital ID System - https://www.labourtogether.uk/all-reports/britcardTV Licensing Detector Ads (1980s-90s): The Detector Van - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NmdUcmLFkw"We know exactly where he is" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF3-S2sCnb8Keep One Eye Open - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVfOmR7gAekMore Powerful Dector Vans! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q9CsRRhWQI“One believes things because one has been conditioned to believe them.”- Mustapha Mond (Brave New World ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode I address listener feedback and questions, from clarifying my stance on the “Tea” controversy to sharing practical tips from the community about Privacy.com workarounds. This episode covers some loose ends before I take a brief hiatus. I also discuss why I won’t be at Black Hat this year, share thoughts on minimalism versus practicality in privacy, and reveal my favorite Indian restaurant in Vegas for those attending Black Hat!In this week’s episode:Addressing the “Tea” controversy and clarifying my positions on doxingCommunity solution for Privacy.com and Plaid privacy concernsContact information protection strategies when family uses social mediaFuture of capture-the-flag challenges and OSINT considerationsConference attendance updates and travelMatrix Community RoomsMatrix Community Space - https://matrix.to/#/#psysecure:matrix.orgIndividual Room Links:https://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-general:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-podcast:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-intro:matrix.orgShow Links:Tea app leak article - https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/tea-app-leak-worsens-with-second-database-exposing-user-chats/OSMOSIS Institute - https://osmosisinstitute.org/events/Privacy.com - https://privacy.com“There are no facts, only interpretations.”- Friedrich Nietzsche ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, I discuss the challenges facing privacy-focused payment solutions like Privacy.com, exploring alternatives and the troubling rise of KYC requirements across the industry. I dive deep into the Switzerland privacy crisis that’s forcing Proton to consider relocating their infrastructure, and what this means for encrypted email providers globally. I also cover the catastrophic security failure at Tea, a women’s safety app that exposed 72,000 images including government IDs through basic incompetence, leading to harassment campaigns on 4chan.I wrap up with thoughts on vehicle tracking through DCM/Telematics modules, why buying older vehicles might be the better privacy-conscious choice, and how embracing the stoic lifestyle aligns with both privacy and my own philosophical principles.In this week’s episode:Privacy.com troubles: Account freezes, limited alternatives, and the KYC nightmareSwitzerland’s surveillance crisis: Why Proton is threatening to leave and relocating to Germany/NorwayEmail provider comparison: Proton vs Tutanota vs Atomic Mail, and understanding intelligence alliancesTea app breach: How 72,000 IDs and 1.1 million private messages ended up on 4chanVehicle tracking: DCM modules, telematics, and why your car is spying on youPhilosophy of privacy: Stoicism, minimalism, and why less is moreMatrix Community RoomsMatrix Community Space - https://matrix.to/#/#psysecure:matrix.orgIndividual Room Links:https://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-general:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-podcast:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-intro:matrix.orgShow Links:Privacy.com - https://privacy.comCloaked.com - https://cloaked.comProton Warrant Canary - https://protonvpn.com/blog/transparency-report/Climate Activist Arrest - https://proton.me/blog/climate-activist-arrest and https://www.wired.com/story/protonmail-amends-policy-after-giving-up-activists-data/Tuta Crypt - https://tuta.com/documents/tuta-crypt-spec.pdfProton elliptic curve cryptography - https://proton.me/blog/elliptic-curve-cryptographySimpleLogin - https://simplelogin.ioHashiCorp Vault - https://www.vaultproject.ioRAM IS SPYING ON YOU (Cozy Living Machine) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-Y1SUSRqNUMeditations by Marcus Aurelius - https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-New-Translation-Modern-Library-ebook/dp/B000FC1JAI“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”- Marcus Aurelius ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, I address listener feedback and corrections regarding use of public Wi-Fi, MAC addresses, and aliases. I dive deep into the nuances of MAC address randomization on GrapheneOS versus Apple’s private Wi-Fi addresses, explaining why GrapheneOS offers superior privacy protection. I discuss the real threats of public Wi-Fi in 2025 (hint: it’s not hackers with Wireshark), and share my approach with aliases.I also cover the rising threat of infostealers like Atomic Info Stealer for macOS, the dangerous intersection of gaming cheats and malware, and why I avoid third-party antivirus software. Most importantly, I address the GrapheneOS controversy: the loss of a senior developer to military conscription, Google’s strategic pivot that threatens custom ROMs, and why claims of GrapheneOS “dying” are misinformation spread by those with competing agendas.In this week’s episode:Clarifications and Corrections: Public Wi-Fi, MAC addresses, and alias managementMAC address randomization: GrapheneOS vs Apple’s implementationThe real threats of public Wi-Fi in 2025Info stealers and video games can be a privacy nightmareGrapheneOS controversy: Developer conscription, Google’s lockdown, and the future of custom ROMsWhy antivirus software might be the malware you’re trying to avoidMatrix Community RoomsMatrix Community Space - https://matrix.to/#/#psysecure:matrix.orgIndividual Room Links:https://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-general:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-podcast:matrix.orghttps://matrix.to/#/#lockdown-intro:matrix.orgShow Links:MAC Address Lookup - https://maclookup.app/OUI Lookup - https://oui.is/33mail - https://www.33mail.com/OpenSnitch - https://github.com/evilsocket/opensnitchPrivacy.com - https://privacy.comLithic - https://lithic.comKaspersky and Russian Government - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaspersky_and_the_Russian_governmentGoogle Not Killing AOSP - https://www.androidauthority.com/google-not-killing-aosp-3566882/GrapheneOS on Developer Conscription - https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/114359660453627718GrapheneOS on OEM Partnerships (June 19) - https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/114671100848024807GrapheneOS Response to Misinformation - https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/114825492698412916GrapheneOS on iPhone Security - https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/114824816120139544“Social engineering bypasses all technologies, including firewalls.”- Kevin Mitnick ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★