Episodes

  • Open Records Are Taking Down Flock Cameras

    Open Records Are Taking Down Flock Cameras
    Jan 26 2026
    The pitch for Flock is always the same: “If you’ve done nothing wrong, you’ve got nothing to hide.” Then a court says the footage is public record, and suddenly cities start unplugging the cameras. In this episode, Zach Varnell and Elizabeth Melton walk through the public records rulings that are forcing Flock programs into crisis […]
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    52 mins
  • The Guy Who Ripped Out a License Plate Reader (And Why We Cheered)

    The Guy Who Ripped Out a License Plate Reader (And Why We Cheered)
    Jun 9 2025
    Zach and Elizabeth break down the surreal case of a Missouri county commissioner facing felony charges for removing a license plate reader — even though the county had already banned them. That sparks a deeper conversation about public surveillance, Flock cameras, inflated government tech contracts, and the illusion of “safety.” Then they shift to the […]
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Google Drops Pledge to Not Develop AI Weapons & ChatGPT Joins the Dating Scene

    Google Drops Pledge to Not Develop AI Weapons & ChatGPT Joins the Dating Scene
    Apr 3 2025
    We dive into the latest news around AI, surveillance, and control. First up, Google quietly ditches its pledge to avoid developing AI for weapons and surveillance — what does this mean for the future of Big Tech and military partnerships? Then, we break down China’s deployment of its AI system, DeepSeek, in military hospitals and […]
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • The Good News Episode

    The Good News Episode
    Feb 24 2025
    Tired of the endless cycle of dystopian tech headlines? In this special episode of Banish Big Brother, Zach and Elizabeth take a break from the usual doom and gloom to focus on the positives. From victories against government overreach to breakthroughs in privacy tech, every story in this episode has an uplifting twist. While the […]
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • The Fall of CBDCs (For Now) and the Rise of Quantum Threats

    The Fall of CBDCs (For Now) and the Rise of Quantum Threats
    Feb 3 2025
    We dive into some rare good news—Trump’s executive order banning Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). But is it really a victory for privacy, or just a sleight of hand favoring private financial giants? We unpack the implications, the risks of private CBDCs, and the looming threat of programmable money. Plus, we explore the latest developments […]
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • New Orleans Pushes for “European Style” Surveillance After Attack & Chicago Ditches ShotSpotter

    New Orleans Pushes for “European Style” Surveillance After Attack & Chicago Ditches ShotSpotter
    Jan 21 2025
    Elizabeth and Zach discuss the chilling proposal for expanded surveillance in New Orleans following a tragic New Year’s Eve attack, raising questions about privacy, predictive technologies, and the misuse of AI. They also dive into Chicago’s decision to abandon ineffective ShotSpotter gun detection technology and the broader implications of replacing invasive systems with something “new […]
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    49 mins
  • Biden Administration Wanted Total Control of ALL Artificial Intelligence

    Biden Administration Wanted Total Control of ALL Artificial Intelligence
    Jan 6 2025
    Meta plans to fill Facebook with AI-generated users designed to mimic real people, raising alarming questions about authenticity, privacy, and ethics. Meanwhile, school zone speed cameras are under fire as legislators expose them as profit-driven scams. In New York City, congestion pricing begins, hitting drivers with steep tolls and raising concerns about economic fallout. Explore […]
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • AI Denies Healthcare Coverage & USA’s Surveillance Iron Dome

    AI Denies Healthcare Coverage & USA’s Surveillance Iron Dome
    Dec 19 2024
    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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    1 hr and 4 mins