Author name: 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. His insights have been featured in publications like Infosecurity Magazine, Threatpost, ZDNET, and the Washington Examiner.

AI Denies Healthcare Coverage & USA’s Surveillance Iron Dome

UnitedHealthcare faces allegations of using an AI model with a 90% error rate to deny care, forcing elderly patients into financial ruin. Meanwhile, drone detection technology meant for border security raises serious questions about its potential for tracking human behavior. And the push for a U.S. surveillance “Iron Dome” signals a massive expansion in monitoring […]

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Border Surveillance Towers, AI Legislation Looms, & App Predicts Your Death

Federal surveillance towers are quietly rising along the U.S.-Canada border, equipped with cameras and sensors capable of monitoring miles of private property. AI is becoming a tool for law enforcement, with implications for public safety, privacy, and even your daily life. Meanwhile, a new app claims to predict your exact time of death based on

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Hidden Risks in Georgia Senate’s AI Report

The Georgia Senate Study Committee on AI has released its recommendations, covering topics such as data privacy, deepfake technology, AI transparency, and law enforcement applications. While the report aims to be forward-thinking, certain proposals raise concerns about privacy, liberty, and potential government overreach. The report reflects a familiar pattern in government regulations, where strict rules

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DNA Company Vanishes, Australia’s Social Media Ban via Digital IDs, & AI Art vs Human Creativity

A DNA testing company disappears, leaving customers’ genetic data unprotected—what are the risks? Australia proposes a social media age ban with digital ID verification for everyone. Is this a step toward surveillance or safety? We also examine the legal fight against Clearview AI’s data scraping and discuss how AI-generated art and music are shaping the

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Track Your Child… or Go to Jail & Minecraft AI Gone Rogue

A mother in Georgia faces jail time after allowing her 10-year-old son to walk to town alone, sparking a heated debate over parental rights, government overreach, and the role of technology in family life. We dive into the absurdity of mandated tracking apps, the fear-driven policies affecting modern parenting, and the organizations fighting back. Plus,

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JD Vance Hacked via Government Backdoor, FBI Private Messenger Sting Operation, & AI Helping Hackers

JD Vance’s phone breach by Chinese hackers highlights the inherent danger of so-called “backdoor” security measures intended for government use. This episode dives into the revelations surrounding how backdoors, originally designed for surveillance by U.S. agencies, can be exploited by foreign entities, proving once again that there’s no such thing as a “backdoor for the

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Real-World Use of Meshtastic Off-Grid Comms & Lawsuit Takes on Surveillance Tech

TSA’s new facial recognition system is here, and Zach shares his recent experience opting out of it with ease. We dive into how to protect your privacy during routine travel and why so few people realize they can opt out. Next, we cover mesh network radios and Zach’s experience using Mesh-tastic devices at a packed

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Trolls Roast the Chicken Registry & AI Sentience vs Nephilim Spirits

UK chicken owners have to register their birds—and pranksters were ready to troll. From roast chickens crashing government websites to the absurd penalties for non-compliance, civil disobedience takes a hilarious turn. We also dive into AI, from robots bartending to AI-generated art confusing the internet. Plus, how AI feedback loops could degrade search results. Finally,

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AI Falls in Love with Married Man & Glasses Instantly Recognize Strangers

We unpack how cutting-edge technology is reshaping our reality. From AI chatbots eerily professing love to users, to facial recognition tools that can identify strangers on the street, this episode dives into the unsettling ways tech is pushing the boundaries of personal privacy. Plus, we explore how governments and companies may be using backdoor methods

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Leak Says Your Phone is Listening, Elon vs Brazilian Ban, New ChatGPT

In this episode of Banish Big Brother, hosts Zach and Elizabeth delve into the unsettling realities of modern surveillance and privacy erosion. They kick off with a discussion about a shocking leak suggesting that our phones might actually be listening to our conversations. Highlighting a pitch deck from Cox Media Group, they explore how active

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