The surveillance state isn’t coming. It’s already here, it’s expanding fast, and apparently if you have a problem with that, China put you up to it.
In this episode, Zach and Elizabeth dig into the sudden explosion of data centers across the country, why governments at every level are pushing them through over loud constituent objections, and what all that infrastructure is actually being built for. Spoiler: it’s probably not so you can make better ChatGPT images.
They also get into Flock Safety’s quietly expanding capabilities, a recall effort brewing in Michigan over a vote that happened before the public was allowed to speak, and a story that perfectly captures how communities are being steamrolled by interests that have very little to do with them.
Plus: where all of this is heading, why Elizabeth is feeling genuinely hopeful for the first time since starting this work five years ago, and how you can support the cause even if you never knock on a single city council door.
Zach Varnell
Zach Varnell is a cybersecurity expert and advocate for privacy and individual liberty. He is a founding member of Banish Big Brother, a nonprofit dedicated to combating invasive surveillance. He also runs Asteros, a security firm that helps software teams and compliance-driven organizations understand and reduce their real-world risk. His insights have been featured in publications like Infosecurity Magazine, Threatpost, ZDNET, and the Washington Examiner.