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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
Consumer Protection
Artificial Intelligence
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes251Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyTrue Crime

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Artwork for What the Hack?

Latest Episodes

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

The whisper: A downed U.S. pilot was located by tracking his heartbeat from 40 miles away. Real, or fake news to rattle Iran? Benn Jordan and physicist Chad Orzel help us separate the science fiction from the real threats we all face right now.

Lear... more

You’ve heard how the compounds work. This week we go inside one—through the eyes of Small Q, an Ugandan musician who was trafficked in and got out—also: Erin West of Operation Shamrock on the bigger picture.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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
Benn Jordan
Musician and independent investigator on Flock Safety investigations
Gainsac/YouTube
Episode: Episode 242: Surveillance in America, Pt 2: Flock You Very Much
Jason Koebler
Technology journalist and co-founder of 404 Media
404 Media
Episode: Episode 242: Surveillance in America, Pt 2: Flock You Very Much
Jay Stanley
Senior policy analyst at the ACLU
ACLU
Episode: Episode 242: Surveillance in America, Pt 2: Flock You Very Much
John Gaines
Independent cybersecurity researcher, Red Team security specialist
Gainesec
Episode: Episode 242: Surveillance in America, Pt 2: Flock You Very Much
Al Franken
Former senator and special guest performing a political-satire sketch about privacy
Former U.S. Senator (Minnesota)
Episode: Al Franken Holds a Mock Senate Hearing on Privacy with Siri and Alexa (Bonus)
Kathy Stokes
Director of Fraud Prevention at AARP
AARP
Episode: Episode 239: Is AARP Doing More than the FBI to Stop Scams?

Host

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

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 586 ratings
  • I looooooveee thissssssss

    Hm

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pheandparkercrashmoe
    United States2 months ago
  • Nice popcast

    Great value

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kael2809
    United States3 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 States3 months ago
  • They could make it more intriguing

    Solid topics just kinda boring

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    DJ_Fox2000
    United States3 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
#221
Denmark/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Episode 240: Who’s Watching the Watchers?
Q: What do parents need to understand about the choices they're making when it comes to their children's data?
Parents should check in with their feelings about privacy, opt out of unnecessary data collection, and ask for data privacy statements from schools.

Audience Metrics

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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. Drug Story
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. The Atlas Obscura Podcast

How many episodes of What the Hack? are there?

What the Hack? launched 5 years ago and published 251 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. Katasha Rogers
2. Christopher Anderson
3. Tracy Chou
4. Benn Jordan
5. Jason Koebler
6. Jay Stanley
7. John Gaines
8. Al Franken

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