RT Dad Saves America (@DadSavesAmerica)I sat down with Mike Benz, former State Department official and founder of the Foundation for Freedom Online, to uncover how government agencies, intelligence contractors, and Big Tech built the surveillance, propaganda, and censorship machine now reshaping the internet. Mike explains how child protection measures have evolved into weapons against free speech and online privacy, how the CIA influences the tech industry, and why you should still work to protect your per ...

Privacy & Security Risks - The lack of privacy can lead to abuses of power, threatening democracy and potentially endangering lives [1][10] - Excessive data collection and insufficient data deletion mechanisms amplify risks, as evidenced by historical events where registries were exploited to target vulnerable populations [4] - Location data, readily available from data brokers, can be used to track individuals, including high-profile figures, highlighting security vulnerabilities [9] - Surveillance technologies are not neutral; they inherently invite control and can transform analog activities into trackable, searchable, and taggable data, creating surveillance structures [14][16] - Digital systems are vulnerable to hacking, making data stored online unsafe despite assurances from institutions [22][23] Historical Context & Lessons - Historical examples, such as the Nazi regime's use of registries and the contrasting outcomes in France due to data protection policies, underscore the importance of privacy [2][7] - The Dutch experience during World War II highlights the dangers of excessive data collection and the inability to delete sensitive information in emergencies; 73% of the Jewish population was found and assassinated [4] - René Carmille's actions in modifying Hollerith machines to protect Jewish individuals during World War II demonstrate the impact of safeguarding personal data [26][27] Analog vs Digital - The analog world is more private and robust compared to the digital world, which is fragile and susceptible to surveillance [18][19] - Choosing digital over analog increases vulnerability to surveillance and hacking, making life more fragile [22] - Paper books are presented as a robust and respectful alternative to electronic books, which are subject to surveillance and control [18][19][20] Future of Privacy & Technology - The future of privacy and AI depends on designing technology that supports democracy, freedom, and well-being [28][29] - Technology is not neutral; its design reflects ethical choices, and better worlds are possible through ethical design [14][29] - Personal data should be treated as a toxic asset due to its dangers to individuals, communities, and democracies [27]

The Texas senator blocked a bill that would have prevented data brokers from collecting and selling personal data on anyone in the United States, and not just federal lawmakers and government officials. https://t.co/e0b80Lur9m ...

Cybersecurity Threat - Vietnam's National Credit Information Center experienced a cyberattack, potentially leading to a significant personal data breach [1] - The government has issued a public warning to be vigilant [1]

of the 60 biggest tech companies our country have all agreed to allow Americans for the first time access to their personal data which they own which these companies have been monetizing without permission. You're going to be able to see by next year all of your health records on your cell phone. It's going to save lives.It is going to fuel an infusion of technology into that space where people can access those records. They can compare their diet to what they personally need. And we'll have purse eyides. ...

For privacy and security, think twice before granting AI access to your personal data | TechCrunch https://t.co/CeX02eA6Jb ...

The Trump administration will give deportation officials personal data, including addresses and ethnicities, of the nation's 79 million Medicaid recipientshttps://t.co/mKgQic8pbb ...