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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
Romance Scams
Kids Online Safety Act
Mental Health
Fraud Prevention
Real Estate Scams
Fraud

"What the Hack?" is the award-winning true cybercrime podcast--the place to hear memorable stories and get good advice. Make yourself harder to find, harder to hit: [DeleteMe ](joindeleteme.com)

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes257Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyTrue Crime

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Artwork for What the Hack?

Latest Episodes

She said her name was Clara Harper from Chase Bank. She argued with a police officer. She needed gift cards. Brian Ward shares the three times his 85-year-old father got scammed — and why the most unsettling thing wasn't the con. It was how reasonabl... more

Craig doesn't have Facebook. He's not a gamer. He builds things, fixes things, grows things, has an assortment of antique chainsaws. So why is his name, age, address, and phone number sitting on a website right now available to anyone who knows his n... more

A former military guy goes viral, but not in the way he'd hoped. With fake profiles popping up by the dozen using his photos to scam lonelyhearts out of money, Ethan Merritt did what we all fantasize about from time to time: he scammed the scammer.

M... more

The ACLU's Nate Freed Wessler won Carpenter v. United States and changed how the Fourth Amendment applies to your phone. But data brokers found a workaround — and the IRS, the Pentagon, and ICE all bought in.

Make yourself harder to find, harder to ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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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

Ethan Merritt
Former Army National Guard infantry officer; military veteran whose photos were used in romance scams
Military/Defense
Episode: Episode 253: When the Bait Bites Back
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
Jason Koebler
Co-founder of 404 Media, investigative journalist
404 Media
Episode: Episode 251: Surveillance In America, Pt 3: Just Say No
Benn Jordan
Founder of Flock Safety, subject of discussion
Flock Safety
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
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

Hosts

Beau Friedlander
Host of What the Hack; Deep-dives into cybercrime, privacy, and surveillance with a focus on actionable privacy practices.
Glenn Sorensen
Co-host and privacy/security expert providing technical and policy perspectives.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 607 ratings
  • 99 night in the forest

    Kallbear

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Christie Bowman
    United Statesa month ago
  • Cybercrime or Cyberpolitics?

    The podcast claims to be about Cybercrime but than delves into US social-political issues, and is predictably one-sided.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ThemePro
    United Statesa month ago
  • I looooooveee thissssssss

    Hm

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pheandparkercrashmoe
    United States4 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

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise clear, practical privacy tips and the host duo's dynamic.
Some reviews note perceived political slant and call for deeper episode detail.
Audience appreciates investigative angles and guest diversity but desires less repetition and more in-depth analysis.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#120
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#43
Saudi Arabia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#52
Russia/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 252: Surveillance In America, Pt 4: No Warrant Required
Q: How do private data brokers affect the warrant landscape for surveillance?
Data brokers can aggregate and sell location data, enabling law enforcement to access detailed movement information without a traditional warrant, complicating privacy protections.
Episode 252: Surveillance In America, Pt 4: No Warrant Required
Q: What was Carpenter v. United States about and why is it significant for digital privacy?
It established that obtaining a comprehensive record of a person's past movements from a cell phone provider requires a warrant, reshaping how the Fourth Amendment protects digital data stored by third parties.
Episode 253: When the Bait Bites Back
Q: What happened after you found multiple fake profiles and began investigating?
He investigated profiles, traced origins to Germany and Europe, and started coordinating with authorities while continuing to document the scam's reach and impact.
Episode 253: When the Bait Bites Back
Q: How did they know that the images were being used without your permission?
They contacted him directly via Instagram Messenger, claiming his photos were being used, which prompted him to verify how his images were being repurposed.
Episode 253: When the Bait Bites Back
Q: So what was a typical day in the life of Ethan Merritt in the Middle East like?
He describes long days with coffee, guard duties, and mission planning combined with time to think about his future and how to build a personal brand.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About What the Hack?

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

This show frequently covers privacy, surveillance, and cybercrime, with episodes ranging from romance scams and fraud to Fourth Amendment protections and law-enforcement data practices. Conversations often feature researchers, journalists, policymakers, and privacy advocates who dissect how data collection, surveillance technologies, and online safety intersect with public policy, ethics, and personal security. The format blends investigative storytelling with practical tips for listeners to reduce exposure and defend digital footprints. A standout throughline is a critical eye on corporate data practices, government overreach, and the balance between safety and civil liberties, making it useful for listeners who want clear takeaways for pe... more

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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. CYBER
3. Hacking Humans
4. Hacked
5. Hacker And The Fed

How many episodes of What the Hack? are there?

What the Hack? launched 5 years ago and published 257 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. Ethan Merritt
2. Nathan Freed Wessler
3. Jason Koebler
4. Benn Jordan
5. Garrett Langley
6. Ron Wyden
7. Kia Hamadanchy
8. Marcy Wheeler

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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