TM Smoke Signals: Is the Rising Obsession with Digital Security Paralysing People Power?

2025-09-10

In this episode of Troublemakers (TM) Smoke Signals, we revisit an article written just before the Covid pandemic: Is the rising obsession with digital security paralyzing people power? What started as a reflection on the flood of digital security trainings resurfaces today with new urgency, amid accelerating AI, techno-feudalism, and state and corporate espionage. The internet once felt like a commons — a democratic space where we could build communities around shared interests. Today, despite the name “social media,” many feel more detached than ever....

The internet once felt like a commons — a democratic space where we could build communities around shared interests. Today, despite the name “social media,” many feel more detached than ever. At the same time, movements are told to delay action until every security risk is eliminated. But history and lived experience remind us: risk never reaches zero.

Licensing

Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media.

Acknowledgment

Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.

Resources & Show Links

Full article: Is the Rising Obsession with Digital Security Paralyzing People Power?

Darya Alikhani on Practising digital security

Listen to more episodes: linktr.ee/troublemakers.podcast

Credits

Host: Phil Wilmot

Producer: Rodgers George

Editor: Thompson Luzendi

Music: Beautiful Trouble and Mwaduga Salum

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