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Artwork for What the Hack?

What the Hack?

DeleteMe
Cybersecurity
Cybercrime
Scams
Identity Theft
Data Privacy
Data Brokers
Privacy
Cryptocurrency
Social Engineering
Sextortion
Ransomware
Artificial Intelligence
Consumer Protection
Cyberbullying
Kids Online Safety Act
Mental Health
Fraud Prevention
Real Estate Scams
Fraud
Instagram

"What the Hack?" is the award-winning true cybercrime podcast--the place to hear memorable stories and get good advice.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes254Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyTrue Crime

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Artwork for What the Hack?

Latest Episodes

Suveillance-for-profit bros say they can eliminate crime in America, but what about the Fourth Amendment? This week: a 1950s numbers racket and some real talk with Jason Koebler, Benn Jordan, GainSec, and the ACLU's Nate Freed Wessler.

Learn more ab... more

Online fraud isn't just getting smarter, it's getting personal. Becky Holmes, author of "The Future of Fraud," traces con artists from ancient Rome to AI-powered scam compounds, and asks a question for our post-breach reality: Is Trust dead?

Learn m... more

Sen. Ron Wyden, the longest-serving member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, the ACLU’s Kia Hamadanchy and Marcy Wheeler explain why the deadline to reauthorize Section 702 of FISA may be the most important privacy vote in a generation—and what y... more

Data as duh-duh. It's all is out there—indexed, sold, and weaponized. Open source intelligence turns public records into a hacker's playground, your LinkedIn profile is dangerous, but you can still claw back a little privacy before it's gone for good... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Nathan Freed Wessler
Deputy Director with the ACLU Speech Privacy and Technology Project
ACLU
Episode: Episode 251: Surveillance In America, Pt 3: Just Say No
Garrett Langley
CEO of Flock Safety
Flock Safety
Episode: Episode 251: Surveillance In America, Pt 3: Just Say No
Becky Holmes
Author of Keanu Reeves Is Not In Love With You; counter-fraud writer
Author
Episode: Episode 250: Becky Holmes and the Future of Fraud
Ron Wyden
Senator, Oregon; longtime advocate for surveillance reform
U.S. Senate
Episode: Episode 249: The End of the Constitution Had to Start Somewhere
Kia Hamadanchy
Senior Policy Council, ACLU
ACLU
Episode: Episode 249: The End of the Constitution Had to Start Somewhere
Marcy Wheeler
Independent journalist and commentator on national security
Marcy Wheeler (EmptyWheel)
Episode: Episode 249: The End of the Constitution Had to Start Somewhere
Katasha Rogers
Privacy colleague and collaborator mentioned in episode
Episode: Episode 248: Open Source Intelligence and the Death of Obscurity
Christopher Anderson
Magnum photographer known for war photography and portraits
Magnum Photos / Vanity Fair
Episode: Episode 245: A Professional Noticer of Things
Tracy Chou
Prominent advocate for diversity data; former Facebook/Quora/Pinterest engineer; founder of Block Party
Block Party/Delete Me
Episode: Episode 244: Inside Tracy Chou's Block Party for Social Media

Host

Beau Friedlander
Host and producer focusing on cybersecurity storytelling and investigative framing.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 607 ratings
  • I looooooveee thissssssss

    Hm

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pheandparkercrashmoe
    United States3 months ago
  • Nice popcast

    Great value

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kael2809
    United States4 months ago
  • Why it was so goodddd

    It was the best little story and that's why I love this app

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Coconut cococ
    United States4 months ago
  • They could make it more intriguing

    Solid topics just kinda boring

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    DJ_Fox2000
    United States4 months ago
  • Yea, im only here for the rewards

    yeaaaaa

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Harris Nguyen284
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High excitement for real‑world security tips and investigative reporting.
Some listeners feel the show leans political; overall quality remains high.
Balanced host approach with strong expert guests.
Thoughtful deep dives into privacy and cybercrime with practical takeaways.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#109
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#59
Philippines/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#76
Indonesia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#149
Russia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#156
Argentina/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#157
Ukraine/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 249: The End of the Constitution Had to Start Somewhere
Q: Can you explain for our listeners the backdoor search loophole in plain terms?
The backdoor search loophole allows the government to access and search vast data sets without the traditional warrant process, effectively enabling broad queries on US person information under the guise of national security, which raises concerns about privacy and legality.
Episode 247: Ghost Murmur and the Real Assault on Privacy
Q: What does a more plausible version of this tech look like, and is it something consumers should fear now?
A more plausible version centers on portable sensors and AI-driven signal processing that could enhance surveillance capabilities in certain contexts, but it would still be limited by signal-to-noise constraints, distance, and practical deployment challenges. The episode argues for proportional concern based on everyday data exposure rather than sensational claims.
Episode 247: Ghost Murmur and the Real Assault on Privacy
Q: What should people be worried about beyond the Ghost Murmur hype?
While the exact technology may be overstated, the real concern is the availability and use of vast data about individuals—how much is collected, how it's aggregated, and how it can be used by insurers, employers, and governments. The discussion emphasizes breadcrumbs, data brokers, and the potential for de-anonymization, rather than a single, dramatic beacon.
Episode 246: Trafficked: Part Three, Asian Scam Compounds
Q: How big was the scam compound and what was the setup like inside?
The compound was enormous, consisting of a town-like complex with multiple factories or 'companies' on a large plot, resembling a self-contained town with living quarters, security, and a mass operation to recruit and exploit workers.
Episode 241: Surveillance in America, Pt 1: Somebody's Watching You
Q: Why is the ACLU interested in surveillance?
Because surveillance raises fundamental questions about power, freedom, and the ability to express oneself without coercion or fear, touching on First Amendment rights and the potential chilling effects of pervasive monitoring.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About What the Hack?

What is What the Hack? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show explores the high-stakes world of cybercrime, privacy, and digital risk through investigative reporting, expert commentary, and real‑world case studies. Recent episodes scrutinize mass surveillance infrastructures, data ownership, and the balance between public safety and civil liberties, often featuring policy analysts, journalists, and security researchers. The discussions frequently connect practical security lessons to broader societal impacts, from fraud and scams targeting everyday users to the design flaws in widely deployed technologies. A standout aspect is the series' willingness to challenge tech narratives with hands‑on demonstrations, legal perspectives, and actionable tips for listeners to protect themselves online.

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Which podcasts are similar to What the Hack??

These podcasts share a similar audience with What the Hack?:

1. Click Here
2. Hacked
3. Hacking Humans
4. The 404 Media Podcast
5. Darknet Diaries

How many episodes of What the Hack? are there?

What the Hack? launched 5 years ago and published 254 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on What the Hack??

Recent guests on What the Hack? include:

1. Nathan Freed Wessler
2. Garrett Langley
3. Becky Holmes
4. Ron Wyden
5. Kia Hamadanchy
6. Marcy Wheeler
7. Katasha Rogers
8. Christopher Anderson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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