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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
Artificial Intelligence
Sextortion
Romance Scams
Ransomware
Consumer Protection
Cyberbullying
Kids Online Safety Act
Mental Health
Instagram
Fraud Prevention
Real Estate Scams

"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)

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes276Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeTechnology

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Artwork for What the Hack?

Latest Episodes

Rochester broker "J-Man" explains how scammers impersonate owners, why AI-made rental listings are multiplying, and one thing owners and renters can do this week to stay safe.

Make yourself harder to find, harder to hit: joindeleteme.com

Lea... more

Congrats, you're the perfect candidate! (You're not. You're the mark.) Jay Jones "The Profiler" has taken down more than 58,000 fake job postings. Learn how scammers turn a job hunt into open season on your data, your money, and, if they play it righ... more

When she was 12, Ava Smithing's Instagram algorithim led her from bikini ads to eating disorder content. Meta settled for $17 billion recently, but what's actually changed? Not enough. Oh and the new rules mean sharing even more personal information.... more

Worried about AI? Don't trust Flock Security? You might get on a law enforcement list for that. Investigative reporter Daniel Boguslaw explains Big Tech's push to re-label anti-surveillance camera activists and AI skeptics alike as threats to nationa... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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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

Jay Jones
The profiler, a cybersecurity investigator focused on fake job scams
TheProfiler.org
Episode: Episode 273: Profiler Jay Jones Takes on Fake Job Scams
Ava Smithing
A teenage girl who testified before Congress about Instagram's impact on eating disorders
Young People's Alliance
Episode: Episode 272: You Should Be Unsettled: Meta and Teens
Daniel Boguslaw
Investigative reporter
The Intercept; American Prospect; Deeper States
Episode: Episode 271: Are You Being Watched? (You Are.)
Rob Shavell
CEO of DeleteMe
DeleteMe
Episode: Episode 270: Your Driver's License Can't Prove Who You Are Anymore
Shannon Edwards
Data privacy advocate; former eBay chief shopper; parent and advisor to education privacy initiatives
Former eBay; Data privacy advocate
Episode: Episode 269: The Student Data Free-for-All
David Dayen
Executive editor of the American Prospect, credited with coining 'surveillance pricing'
The American Prospect
Episode: Episode 268: Your Privacy Is Being Taxed
Grace Gedye
Policy analyst at Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Episode: Episode 268: Your Privacy Is Being Taxed
Sarah Huard
Staff at Delete Me
Delete Me
Episode: Episode 268: Your Privacy Is Being Taxed
Derek Kravitz
Investigative journalist
Consumer Reports
Episode: Episode 267: No Price Tag for You!

Host

Beau Friedlander
Host of What the Hack?

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 639 ratings
  • Fascinating real-life stories

    Incredible and valuable insights into the topic of „safety in the online world“, all thanks to the show’s easy-going conversations with guests who have „been there“.

    Highly recommended for everyone who’s online.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bek--bek
    Germany3 months ago
  • 99 night in the forest

    Kallbear

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Christie Bowman
    United States6 months 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 States6 months ago
  • I looooooveee thissssssss

    Hm

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pheandparkercrashmoe
    United States8 months ago
  • Nice popcast

    Great value

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kael2809
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel it sometimes leans into politics
Strong, accessible privacy guidance and actionable steps
Reassuring, hands-on discussions that help users protect themselves
Engaging, real-life stories with practical safety tips

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 272: You Should Be Unsettled: Meta and Teens
Q: What changes did the settlement introduce for teen accounts and data access?
It introduced limits like two-hour daily usage windows, default daily caps, and some account privacy features, but the fundamental data collection and profiling remain, with ongoing data access and ID verification concerns.
Episode 272: You Should Be Unsettled: Meta and Teens
Q: What happened in the Meta settlement and does it fix the problems Ava described?
The settlement imposes some limits and a large payment, but Ava and the hosts argue it does not address the core engine behind harms, as the algorithm and data practices remain largely unchanged.
Episode 266: How Much Is Surveillance Pricing Costing You?
Q: How did your experimental setup demonstrate price differences in practice?
We set up real-world tests with a common product and mapped prices across different personas, including a low-income versus high-income profile, to show how the same purchase could yield different prices.
Episode 264: 15 Years of Fear: A Stalking Story
Q: How did your personal experience influence your current work with victims and law enforcement?
Experiencing stalking firsthand motivated me to train professionals and advocate for victims, focusing on accessibility, trauma-informed communication, and practical resources that can help people document, report, and seek protection more effectively.
Episode 264: 15 Years of Fear: A Stalking Story
Q: What were the most challenging parts of engaging with law enforcement and the legal system?
Understanding the complexity of stalking law, the difficulty in proving ongoing fear, and the slow pace of legal processes were tough; the police and prosecutors gradually built a case once the behavior escalated and a pattern emerged.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Location
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Age Range
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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?

A hard-hitting tech-safety show that centers on privacy, cybercrime, and digital surveillance, blending investigative reporting with practical guidance. Recent episodes spotlight real-world cases of stalking, romance scams, and state-of-the-art surveillance ecosystems, while unpacking how law, policy, and technology intersect with civil liberties. Guests range from journalists and legal experts to survivors and security practitioners, all contributing accessible, action-oriented insights for everyday online safety and for organizations seeking to understand and mitigate digital risks. Noteworthy is a consistent emphasis on empowering listeners with concrete steps, from data minimization to platform accountability, often framed through compe... 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. Hacked
3. LOW
4. CyberWire Daily
5. Hacker And The Fed

How many episodes of What the Hack? are there?

What the Hack? launched 5 years ago and published 276 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. Jay Jones
2. Ava Smithing
3. Daniel Boguslaw
4. Rob Shavell
5. Shannon Edwards
6. David Dayen
7. Grace Gedye
8. Sarah Huard

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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