A Spy in Your Pocket? Ronan Farrow Exposes Secrets of High-Tech Spyware in New Film “Surveilled”

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Is that a spy in your pocket? In a holiday special we speak to Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Ronan Farrow and filmmaker Matthew O’Neill about "Surveilled" - their new HBO documentary looking at how high tech surveillance spyware is threatening democracy across the globe. As part of the reporting for the documentary, Farrow traveled to Israel for a rare interview with a former employee of NSO Group, the Israeli software company that makes Pegasus. He warns that it’s not just “repressive governments” that abuse Pegasus and other surveillance technology, but also a growing number of democratic states like Greece, Poland and Spain. U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies under both the Biden and Trump administrations have also considered such spyware, although the extent to which these tools have been used is not fully known. “Surveillance technology has historically always been abused. Now the technology is more advanced and more frightening than ever, and more available than ever, so abuse is more possible,” says Farrow.
Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs on over 1,500 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream at democracynow.org Mondays to Fridays 8-9 a.m. ET.
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[@mmmuck]

Ronan might be the most important journalist in America right now

[@Madasin_Paine]

That's only what team left wants you to think. His dad's Woody and Sinatra and his mother are from very dark past that walked between organized crime and organized criminal government operations. I trust him no more than his family ties. Of course people on Democracy now eat it up Hook line & sinker because, basically they don't think, they just believe and watch whatever the guests say. And when in doubt they'll just tell you it's better than Trump. It's better than Russia. And they're wrong about that too. It's not better. Democracy nowhere Ever. It's showtime Always all ways Founded on myth and lies, mostly propaganda, or what people that watch this channel called education news and opinion. Imho, et al.

[@John-mf6ky]

Tbf pegasus has been known about for quite a few years now.

[@katejudson8907]

Except if he is still touting China evil stories, that's just BS for clicks. Any real journalist can see China is not a threat to the USA or the West. Nor Iran etc.

[@mg2619]

Other journalists discovered pegasus a long time ago like those in the OCCRP.

[@mmmuck]

@mg2619 promis

[@1398go]

Now this is what we need young men and women doing work out there, being active, intelligent, and well informed and getting to the bottom of things. Enough with silly pranks or lets go head to toe with Mike Tyson. There is so much going on in this world, it’s frankly terrifying. Thank you for your work! Amazing work.

[@maygrantz4426]

exactly..and nothing is so sacred now a day.

[@bencameron284]

I was taking a knee with Veterans in 1968 at the tender age of 12! My generation had the balls to protest!

[@StevenKHarrison]

Snowden warned us about this. How long ago was that? Have we been sleeping since then?

[@stevekaylor5606]

Also Assange!

[@Balouchiee24]

exactly why we need more spotlight on this issue

[@DegenerateToo]

And the pager goes Boom! 🧨

[@UnderGroundKnox]

When I brought this up back when Snowden FIRAT said it i was ridiculed. People would rather give up freedom for the ability to make an ig post.

[@Balouchiee24]

@ yoooooooooooooo holy shit!! Anything for clout is an understatement

[@BekkaPoo]

This applies to all technology that we invite into our lives. Your Alexas, smart home gadgets, ring doorbells, etc are all part of the civilian spy network.

[@TwstedTV]

I sold all my amazon and ggl tech gear. my ring, tablets, alexa's etc etc. I got rid of them a long time ago ever since a news company reported how several families got their entire lives revealed including their most intimate moments was made public because of these devices. And the news company revealed how these companies saves all this information on their servers for life. smart technology is no longer permitted in my house.

[@normamonsees9363]

The other one 2007...

[@normamonsees9363]

Yes the lasers, radiation...is a drones camera

[@dimiberberu]

The "trusted" Hypocrite Apple could pay $20 (don't miss the opportunity) per device to users for Siri spying on them :( eavesdropping lawsuit

[@GaryWalker-g6x]

Don't forget your microwave, airfryer, and refrigerator.

[@mirandaclemson5761]

I am a registered nurse, from Florida who has been vocal against the Israeli occupation and the Trump administration. Particularly regarding healthcare concerns of human trafficking, organ trade, torture and sexual assault. I have been dealing with spyware, being followed, threatened and even my neighbors home being set on fire….it’s definitely affected me and my mental health. It concerns me deeply for Americans and our democracy…….

[@KingLoa-t1n]

Snowden risked it to warn the American people but due to brain wave, and biochemical conditioning, the masses simply don’t care. Learn to live off grid and become self sustainable. Change how you live and habits. Get as far away as you can and just forget about the internet and technology. Africans have survived this way for centuries. They are some of the most poorest people but yet some of the most happiest, healthiest and self sustainable people on the planet. The irony is we think we are better off then them.

[@Thisfuqinguyhere]

I was drugged and admitted to a mental hospital and told I’m crazy with schizophrenia. I was almost killed by police they tried to confront me physically while I was tripping.

[@Thisfuqinguyhere]

They are using AI to manipulate us individually

[@GreenVibezIguanaDaddy]

Are you also ready for the coming fight?

[@arthurgreene8799]

I am with you brother or sister.

[@HerrPorinski]

Ronan Farrow is a solid guy. Thanks for his important work.

[@Mysonmadevideos]

Farrow is controlled opposition, he is telling us nothing new but distracting us from what's going on now.

[@jamesrowlands8971]

He literally works for the natsec state.

[@Mysonmadevideos]

@@jamesrowlands8971 Absolutely, he is not some hero of the people. I'm actually surprised that Goodman is promoting him and people can't see thorough the smoke an mirrors

[@tocinoamericano]

I do not trust him. He won't even admit Frank Sinatra is his biological father.

[@brobinson8614]

Apart from his fake affectatious voice. Copying others his scene. He probably doesn't even realise how bad it is. And he's probably very good at his job, but I can't take seriously pretentious people who talk like that. It's not his natural voice.

[@tonynunez6539]

Whistle-blowers are targeted and persecuted.

[@kittensrus1570]

@@tonynunez6539 how and where? Like the common man?

[@h2o2630]

Especially by Boeing!

[@QED777]

or snitches depending on your point of view

[@jamesrowlands8971]

@@h2o2630 Boeing ... c'mon. It's like you learned about politics from social media.

[@DeborahMzDivine]

I am being targeted right now...as stated by Patrick @ the NYS Comptroller's Office.

[@clearfield2009]

Adore Ronan. Such a gift to us all.

[@methonyHolmes-e8p]

He looks lovely ke his dad, Sinatra.

[@clearfield2009]

@ no question.

[@Bibbzyy]

“The Iranians, North Koreans, The Chinese” girl how about the Americans and the Israelis, that’s the real threat

[@CorusM]

That's the saddest part about reporting these days. It's always about China, Iran or North Korea, whilst the same thing happens in the West. Think of what the NSA is capable of, not just with phones, but anything that can connect to the internet. Remember the leak by Edward Snowden?

[@stevekaylor5606]

@Squeej-w2p Those who consider themselves to be Unipolar globalists - hardly recognize sovereign nations!

[@stevekaylor5606]

China, Iran and N. Korea are among the 151 BRI nations who are developing their economies. This is contrary to what the British led Western oligarchy wants!

[@majorchutzpah7265]

Do you live in America?

[@MiguelHIGHrce1781Xy]

​​@@CorusMCIA, FBI, MODERN DAY KGB..., XI PING'S SPY AGENCIES, FACE BOOK, INTAGRAM, KZbin, ALL OTHER SOCIAL MEDIAS/PLATFORMS, BIG BUSINESS CORPORATIONS/BIG CORPORATE NEWS, PRESIDENTS, you name it

[@soularddave2]

One of the most articulate reporters on the most important, yet hidden sublects confronting Democracy as it withers.

[@tinatieden8499]

SNOWDEN WAS RIGHT !

[@foney2000]

People knew this shit before Snowden! He only confirmed it. Get over yourself.

[@cholst1]

@@foney2000 This specific stuff is newer than all of that, but yes, government using technology to spy on entire populations is nothing new.

[@Rastaferrari829]

@@foney2000 🍪

[@DavidAndrew-t3n]

@@foney2000if it wasn’t all in caps would you consider the messenger over themself?

[@unitewewill]

yes he was

[@norrisrobinson2349]

Thank you Amy and democracy now for your uncensored journalism Happy New year 👍💪⭐❤️💯

[@jamesrowlands8971]

LOL ... this is literally the NATSEC state talking to you.

[@kevinjaegli6751]

this made me laugh out loud. listening to fake state news on surveilance network youtube, we are happy to hear we are noticing being watched.... lol.. .lol..

[@paolabueso]

Absolutely outstanding investigative work!!! Thank you so much for sharing this. Ronan is a force!! What he is talking about is incredibly important and he needs to be protected! 🙌🙌🙌

[@paulpizzuto4288]

BIG Brother growing bigger and bigger.

[@justsimplejustsimple3015]

Yes big brother is a hulk now

[@Judgingopression]

Thanks for your great journalism and always exposing such important issues that affect everyone’s lives.

[@FUCTIFINO_]

WHEN A SERVICE IS FREE, YOU ARE THE PRODUCT!

[@maddiemabry2587]

Glad he has the ability to share this

[@Fleezblarp]

Ronan Farrow is not suicidal.

[@jamesrowlands8971]

In fact, he's a key part of the natsec state.

[@Jebediah1999]

​@@jamesrowlands8971 in what way?.

[@brobinson8614]

I can't stand his fake affectatious voice. Copying others his scene. He probably doesn't even realise how bad it is. And he's probably very good at his job, but I can't take seriously pretentious people who talk like that. It's not his natural voice.

[@pastorXal]

​@@brobinson8614 🙄 ok, you're the expert.

[@StrayedIdea]

You know when you`re in danger when government says “The Iranians, North Koreans, The Chinese”

[@brianj4201]

Well Iran and China are an issue too. Don't pretend that just cause Israel is bad that Russia, China, and Iran are any better.

[@NunyoBitness-d3e]

How?

[@leilagomulka5690]

Fascinating. And true.

[@SoOthersMayLiveandStuff]

Incredible piece. Happy New Year! I’m very close to living in the mountains with a freaking ham radio.

[@carlywright5127]

I am going to a sea boat and occasionally to a tree house. Who is more nuts? I reckon it is the surveillance control. They must be severely insecure, self made.

[@cgillig]

Thanks for all you do.

[@garyleiser753]

Pegasus is directly connected to Israeli intelligence.

[@henrylo7393]

And what about "Prism"?

[@cgair]

A Lot Of people bring this spy ware into their own homes Via ALEXIS & RING Cameras.They Complain about new cars spying on them but they bring the CELL phone every where they go..SPY IN YOUR POCKET.( PALINTIR.)

[@samartinez1988]

What is "Unit 8200"?

[@Han_Cholo420]

Sure is and not only did they sell it to their allies they sold it to ANYONE who had the money for it. They also left a backdoor in the software they sold so they could actively spy on anyone they sold it to

[@pierreproudhon9008]

Great work by a diligent young man with morals

[@jamesrowlands8971]

This is literally the natsec state spewing lies at you.

[@Koozzoo_Videos]

You do know he's the late Frank Sinatra's son. He'd be appalled his son is a homosexual.

[@CB-hy3ld]

Groundbreaking journalism

[@VictoriaAlfredSmythe]

thank you Amy.

[@lisaacrata7945]

We need international laws and regulations to limit and curtail surveillance companies overreach and disproportionate power.

[@Linda_Almighty]

Absolutely, 💯 ⚠️ The problem is that some of those that REALLY need curbing/curtailing want the opposite, and are bribing/corrupting/"lobbying" their way ahead... which makes corruptible "politicians", national & international institutions and governments, all worldwide, the biggest problem... when corporations/fascists/dictators in these ways effectively become more powerful and influential than nations. I'm asking myself just how much the last gatekeepers are infiltrated and corrupted by all the WRONG forces (rogue corporations)...? Potential gatekeepers like the UN, OECD, WTO and more seem to have been rendered useless, or at least extremely counterproductive to the rule of law and more.

[@cholst1]

We do have that, powerful nations dont give a shit. We also have laws against foreign invasion, not that that does much. Apparently we have human rights also, guaranteeing everyone adequate housing and food, do you see that being upheld? The entire world system is a massive scam on the masses.

[@paulthomann5544]

Instead, we have an increasing number of countries passing legislation that explicitly legalises the use of these "tools". Typically under "narrow" circumstances, such as terrorism or organised crime, or connections to someone suspected of that, via a certain number of hops. And of course only after some official entity gave a warrant. There are some problems with that. For one, if the number of hops is big enough (doesn't take very much, maybe 5 or 10), EVERYBODY is connected to everybody else on this planet, maybe excluding some small populations that have managed to stay isolated from the rest of the world, eg. in the amazon. Journalists, as well as lawyers, are definitely connected. Sometimes directly, sometimes via one or two hops. Then, there's the question which authority grants these warrants and how. I don't know current numbers, but the FISA court in the USA used to grant like 99.9% of requests for such warrants back when the Snowden leaks were fresh. Not to mention that its trials and decisions are secret, even some of the laws they apply are secret. It's fricking crazy. And thirdly, organised crime is a very bendable term. It might be just two people with an ongoing relation for some "crime", such as a weed grower and a weed dealer. I'd bet any drug trade is "potentially financing terrorism" and will get a green light for invasive digital surveillance. At least people in the USA can say this situation was imposed by the authorities against their will. In Switzerland where i live, popular vote passed the new(ish) intelligence laws. These are very similar, probably inspired if not dictated by USA. It allows use of spyware, i think for everyone connected to "the target" via up to 3 hops. It allows issuance and use of real fake IDs not only for members of our intelligence service(s), but also for external people collaborating with them. It can force online service providers (such as proton) to collect and give certain data to the authorities, under gag order of course. If i'm not mistaken, it also allows the exchange of data resulting from surveillance with foreign intelligence services. Just say terrorism, and people will waive their rights with near zero resistance.

[@Linda_Almighty]

@paulthomann5544 The "side effect" of all this is that "the power$ that be" can intercept when one or many discover corruption and crimes within "the upper echelons", and so forth. With the globally escalating profit-driven fascism, those behind that need things like this to be able to maximally evade responsibility and accountability... (Musk buying tax cuts, deregulations & "justice"/judicial erosion/backsliding, Thiel with his company and its contracts, and corrupt officials ushering in Russian style corrupt oligarchy... all comes to mind).

[@afroprepnow1455]

Go Ronan! I did a similar doc back in 2010 called Track Me If You Can for Discovery. The tech has progressed over the past decade and a half to frightening levels. I shudder to think where this is headed.

[@diegoe.4639]

Nice ill check it out. Cheers

[@nivisalba]

Well done 👏🏼

[@giannifriendly5600]

Hey kid, you know we love you over here. Just kidding. Inside joke. I think young Mr Farrow is doing fantastic work. Bringing things to light is first step in changing things for the better.

[@alrightyru]

RIP Jamal Khashoggi 🙏

[@jamesrowlands8971]

If you know who he was you wouldn't feel that way.

[@alphaHero100]

@@jamesrowlands8971 stop spreading lies. no one believes your fake posts.

[@peterlpool1387]

@@jamesrowlands8971explain?

[@horsepanther]

@@jamesrowlands8971 What are you talking about?? He was a journalist for the Washington Post, and a moderate supporter of democracy that the Saudi prince, who's a monster, could not tolerate.

[@jrstar1439]

@@jamesrowlands8971 the flock has no idea who the spy's are.......

[@judehylton9692]

Democracy needs to prevail!!!

[@paigecomise8076]

We are a republic. “To the republic for which we stand” not to the democracy of which we stand.

[@rocioaguilera3555]

What a nightmare. 1984 but with so much better technology 😢

[@simonsimon6490]

Thank you to this young man for his amazing work.

[@lindahegyi7986]

Ronan is a fantastic human being. Love that he is dedicating his life to such important causes!

[@agnikollias6678]

God be with you 🙏

[@airforceLTC]

Agreed, Yay Thor, Zeus, Apollo, et al

[@Kris-w5v]

Is your faiy-tale god spying on you??????? 🙈🙉🙊...😅😂😆

[@briantanner2460]

We must put aside our differences align together to stop this and become free once again

[@Seawing-v5d]

I remember asking questions about this kind of scenario in my progressive liberal teens and my conservative family adamantly, confidently insisting that it could never happen, Americans wouldn't stand for it! This is how it feels to be hog-tied on a conveyor belt.

[@DonXisco]

And some people still want to dismiss folks as ''Conspiracy Theorists'' for bringing this stuff up

[@jennnewman6444]

Thank you Democracy Now, this is incredible work and we thank you for sharing it with us!! ❤

[@tiredcaballero]

Thank you Farrow!

[@nivisalba]

Bravo Ronan 👏🏼 on the right track...

[@xoxox.skinnychef]

Bad-Ass reportage, RF. Bang on!

[@wild-radio7373]

Absolutely horrifying

[@robomaster4882]

What a brilliant young man. He should have a wider audience.

[@workinbirthcanal]

Good reporting! ❤

[@FranciscoCuevas-ur4re]

1984 is here and has been here long before 1984

[@stevekaylor5606]

And before McCarthyism from 1950 - 1957. Finally, then IKE began calling this McCarthywasum !

[@DeirdreMcNamara]

@@stevekaylor5606 McCarthy was spot on!

[@stevekaylor5606]

@@DeirdreMcNamara McCarthy {and effectively Truman} used anti-communist smears against former VP Henry Wallace and George Marshall - during what was already an effort to establish Unipolar globalism!

[@stevekaylor5606]

@@DeirdreMcNamara We weren't able to..

[@MermaidJurate]

Excellent reporting

[@lxlx3458]

Thank you for sharing with us!

[@angelbiojo7499]

Big Brother at work. 😮😮😮

[@nitrox58]

Snowden revealed this year's ago. But the more sunshine we have on this the better.

[@XOguitargurlOX]

Hearing the year 2020 and having Ronan following question be, “When were you infected?” Immediately had my mind jumping to Covid and not Pegasus.

[@etiennebunbury1285]

“Democracy the greatest lie of our epoch!”

[@hkiani6853]

Just like their fake Human Right, and Fake freedom of expression.

[@LyingEyes-t3m]

These guys work for our government

[@djack915]

Very important !!! Love your vids and Ronan !

[@DougieBarclay]

There are some seriously sinister humans out there. I'm living under a rock

[@Cranky_Crone]

Stay under the rock, mate, safest place to be! 😂

[@user-ti3vp9mt3z]

Indeed. Sinister, evil, and sadistic

[@Who-knew-2few.]

Amazing I can listen to these vids at 2x speeds & STILL understand everything...

[@hernehill6282]

I know I've been surveilled just for my comments on the net; I'm not connected with any organizations. Official-looking logos flashed on my computer screen. Someone in a live-chat posted 'I've been watching you' and described my physical appearance. I've received text messages indicating where I've been. Yes, I'm scared.

[@user-ti3vp9mt3z]

Keep friends and family close!!

[@margaretcaldarone3545]

Ronan, What A Blessing You Are.! Truth has Become Such a Rarity. Tecnowledge is So Dangerous. Thank You. You Validate My Vivid Imagination. Wonderful Mission You Have Choosen!.

[@MrLoobu]

It's patently obvious that all devices are listening even when off. I've got different accounts on different devices, and when I talk about something around them, I will get videos and ads on that account about that subject. I will shut them off and repeat words around them in isolation and within 24 hours the adds will pop up on whatever device I was speaking around. Im not even American. I dont care if it's the companies or the governments or both, we are equally screwed. There is no public forum, we are being programmed and lied to. The next generation will not belong to the society they had the misfortune of growing up in.

[@WTFwuzdat]

Very true. And even if we leave our phones behind, other people's devices record us.

[@etl2993]

Well, it might be good to start somewhere.

[@MrLoobu]

@@etl2993 Start? This is almost the end.

[@DeirdreMcNamara]

...and since I have four, even five unique major talents requiring expression, I want a lap top for each calling...because I am very prolific but have no staff. as soon as I buy a new computer bring it home, within a few minutes it has, without my permission, loaded on from the old one so even more exasperating than before. Not a techie obviously, but I shouldn't have to me. These danged machines have no right to make decisions for me! And yes, same difference with the pick up, ie spying on words and responding with videos or "suggestions" when I reopen the "box" again.

[@brucebuckles6311]

Sinatra knew of espionage long before before you...this story is not new, but the reporting is, alas, so very true. Again Ronan, thank you.

[@Abdominal65]

The Canadian government monitored the location of all cell phones in Canada during the "pandemic". The only reason it wasn't deemed a MASSIVE breach of privacy, was because the telecommunication companies allegedly stripped the personal info on the location points.

[@mandymilsom31]

Great reporting. Really scary stuff!

[@Ginger-g8j]

Your local police departments the things they’ll do specially if they have asset forfeiture abilities they decide you have something they want they’ll frame you make up bullshit charges. It’s incredible what they’ll do then they investigates themselves and lo and behold. They’ve done nothing wrong.

[@idontwantahandlethough]

YUP. I've seen it happen, it's beyond messed up. It's literally legalized theft

[@DeirdreMcNamara]

The DAs offices are often the scourge - in the liberal cities at least. Corrupt, corrupt, corrupt - and the Judges, Commisioners, MDJs, etc. Not the America I read about in school, Liberty, Freedom, Equality, what a lie! Too many good people suffering for trying to maintain the integrity of the USA> I pray they win. Too good to allow the destroyers control.

[@lindahegyi7986]

This actually happened to me. I was targeted by Police & officials. Repeatedly swatted, robbed, "investigated" on false charges, etc. have not committed any offenses, but they destroyed my life! They literally terrorized me. I have nowhere & no one to turn to!

[@callmebigpapa]

The EO that it cant be purchased just means it will be either given or stolen and then used.

[@D_A-G]

Aljazeera network did a superb documentary on this way earlier.

[@CafeLu]

Wow! Not surprising but scarier than i originally thought it could be.

[@TheCure1.]

I think the world especially sensitive areas like health and admins should keep the unhackable old ways.

[@maygrantz4426]

good point..

[@markallenwhite]

Unite our intelligence. ALL OF US.

[@kuuiporica2198]

prayers continue love hope heal teach learn work grow for and from one another more than ever. Amen

[@bobhearn7402]

This is gonna be a hard pill to swallow. But I suggest people start buying landlines again and only use landlines for any personal business stuff. You don't care about use your cellphone. That way, there's nothing getting out there. That's the only way to beat it because they can't tap a landline without a want. There, are you kids? Start buying landlines again

[@lupemerrit]

This is scary.

[@bulgingbattery2050]

Don't do or say the wrong thing, because it can cost you your life.

[@stevekaylor5606]

Say what you think is right - while staying with the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the Federation!

[@bulgingbattery2050]

@@stevekaylor5606 That doesn't mean that criminal elements of the state won't try to kill you if you attempt to expose criminal activity. These people consider the US constitution and freedom/western democracy to be an impediment to the type of world that they want to make.

[@bulgingbattery2050]

@@stevekaylor5606 The US constitution/freedom/western democracy is an impediment to the type of world that these people want to create.

[@bulgingbattery2050]

@@stevekaylor5606 Constitution or not, if you attempt to expose crime and corruption, these people will come and hurt you!

[@MarshallMathers-s8c]

Lol Obama burned the constitution

[@jiayouchinese]

We're a Constitutional Republic, not a "democracy"

[@Flloronatto_Foucaulte]

Define it succinctly and stay off the P.E.P. list and don’t get triangulated. I’m too old to care. It’s great for an episode of real life Black Mirror smartie pa🤔nts

[@mercedesruiz3356]

Gracias. En Catalunya, quedo muy claro:pegasus. Gracias Ronan.

[@m.l.b.-j.u.504]

and guess where pegasus comes from.. EXACTLY

[@hannahahlepoetry]

They have been hacking NHS IT

[@tyefrazier]

thank you so much for educating the masses

[@marilynmonroe6130]

Anybody ever watch 'Person of Interest'? We're here😮

[@stevekaylor5606]

Much like the Palmer Raids of 1919 !

[@msvulcanspock]

Yes!

[@stevekaylor5606]

@@msvulcanspock Very inquisitive; while also trying to lock Trump into geopolitical wars, instead of the international cooperation needed to setup a New Bretton Woods financial Architecture!

[@stevekaylor5606]

@@msvulcanspock We weren't able to..

[@elwoodgroves7848]

Yes!! "Person of Interest" was really a late, breaking news story. Hollywood & television can at times serve the State in this capacity. Excellent program!!!

[@George-em5lr]

Direct Democracy, now!😊

[@tomallen5837]

This is a good kickoff for the year. On a lighter note who is better looking, Luigi or Ronan 😂. I'm on the west coast just waking up, and I'm about to play the first song I play every single year. "Street Hassle", by Lou Reed.

[@SB-iz8sz]

Ronan thank you for your reporting stay safe. Such a smart and handsome guy.

[@rayclark7963]

Tech has become part of the fabric of life, by design. It has great and wonderful uses. That said, it is also worthless. There is and never will be a defined separation line of the great/worthless. It is an UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS place and these qualities will continue exponentially and leave a path of untold destruction. The genie is out of the bottle and there will be NO WINNERS.

[@sirrobertdowneysenior8080]

Thank you makers, much needed call of the hour. ✊

[@zglzc6431]

This tech is scary.... I saw this one that would have full access to your phone, send messages to your contacts, or other contacts without your knowledge. It can even initiate a message from one of your contacts to you as if they sent you the message. It would even listen in on every single one of your calls and record them.

[@ALFarrell-kv6ok]

At least we are protected by various checks and balances in democracies. And we need surveillance to control spying, terrorism and criminality. But imagine the terror of being in a dictatorship where no such checks and balances exist.

[@BlackNewsMonday]

Anyone who stands for anything is a target of someone.

[@maygrantz4426]

absolutely..

[@massdisruption3437]

Only because the masses cower on their knees and don’t stand for anything.

[@edelmary1131]

THANK you, this is so needed....so many journalists persecuted during mandates and lockdowns

[@fabiaregina]

The truth "big brother" is the big money.

[@berniediedricks5681]

Amy wishing U & Democracy Now Team the very best year in 2025, thank you for Ur continuous reporting on human rights abuses & current affairs. U r all brave & a beacon for reporting Truth, whether left or right, east or west. Stay empowered & stay safe❤️❤️❤️

[@nottenvironmental6208]

As an Australian, I have my private data stolen ave 200times/day. As a business owner, I can't stop this thus capitalism has been destroyed by an Authoritarian regime allowing captured regulation.

[@mac-n-steez999]

This isn’t something that occurred because “capitalism has been destroyed” this is a feature of capitalism.

[@nottenvironmental6208]

@mac-n-steez999 the father of capitalism disagrees and its a good point, there's no competition allowed with captured regulation which is what we have. Thus we have oligarchy or plutocracy, not capitalism stopping me as a business competing in the market. In reality, capitalism resists neo liberals plan to remove the biggest risk to autocracy, democracy.

[@lezzulee]

Kudos to their bravery

[@JasonLave]

The voice disguise isn't sufficient, I recognize the accent through the scramble, this indicates that AI would have zero issues descrambling the audio and then using voice recognition may be able to identify the source being interviewed.

[@ZERO_O7X]

Ronan Sinatra has truly become an amazing journalist.

[@eg042680]

This is what Assange exposed years ago... before idiots, who prioritized politics over truth, turned on him and disparaged the man with false accusations.

[@warrencurtis7442]

Snowden.

[@wetrucken1689]

Turn your phone off and on most of the spyware software only lives in memory on your phone or on your computer! Turn it on and off everyday in the morning or twice in the day

[@tethergobrrr]

Pegasus can use you phone if it’s on you with a battery in it

[@kittensrus1570]

@wetrucken1689 how long do u turn it off for? That can't be true, what about cookies, apps that do data harvesting

[@kittensrus1570]

@@wetrucken1689 that's not true what about cookies,

[@paulthomann5544]

@@kittensrus1570 cookies are not running at all - they are not executable. A cookie is just a bit of text that your browser will send along with any requests to the server that had set it ("set" just means it sent it along with the answer to a previous request, and your browser stored it), so it can recognise you. The reason they exist is because HTTP(S) is a "stateless" protocol. That means, each request is treated as independent from any previous requests. In order to implement things such as session login, user preferences, or shopping basket, the server needs a way to link the request to some sort of persistent state, and that's what cookies are for. Depending on your browser settings, cookies might be deleted when you close the browser, or (by default) not. If not, the cookie will not be affected by a device restart - but also it doesn't do anything until your browser sends a request to the cookie's server again. Now, the reason cookies are problematic, is because of how the web isn't as decentralised in practice as we like to think of it. Perhaps the most well known examples are the facebook "like" button and the google "site analytics" scripts. These are found on most sites/pages on the web, and the way they work makes the browser request things (images, scripts, whatever) from the respective servers. This in turn means that facebook gets your facebook cookie EVERY TIME you visit ANY page that has the like button, as well as the URL of the visited page, and can therefore track most of your web usage. Same for google on any page that uses site analytics, same for all the advertising networks on any pages that display their ads. And you bet most of these companies share/sell that data between each other and to anyone willing to pay enough, such as intelligence agencies.

[@nickreely9994]

A. I. Learning Peoples Algorithms and the resulting manipulative controls used on & against people makes spying obsolete.

[@stephss]

I noticed a strange difference in throttling between my two cellphones, with using the same wifi. There's definetly something up with the one device. My pc's don't seem to behave the same way. I'm almost ready to abandon my cellphones now.

[@ritafranco3020]

Btw,why aren’t people talking about Pegasus,etc instead of criticizing Farrow!

[@SimplyAwesomeness]

This is why I chose a Chinese phone, you can never trust American or South Korean tech.

[@user-ti3vp9mt3z]

Really? Such as what brands?

[@brobinson8614]

The Chinese Communist Party have part shares in all companies in China. Meaning they can and do make many Chinese companies spy on their clients. That's been well established while you have been asleep for the last decade

[@carlywright5127]

​@@user-ti3vp9mt3zI have too but they are in league with each other I reckon.

[@herecomesnanna]

I hope we get to see this documentary in Australia.

[@dylpickled]

Had my phone searched at an airport for some BS conspiratorial reason, I’m sure there’s spyware on my phone at this point 🤷

[@christinecarroll7881]

Get a new phone

[@DegenerateToo]

@@christinecarroll7881😂😂😂😂

[@kittensrus1570]

@@dylpickled did they just look through your phone? Or connect it to anything? What reason did they give you?