- Social:
Wired magazine
Senior writer for Wired magazine and author of This Machine Kills Secrets: How WikiLeakers, Cypherpunks, and Hacktivists Aim to Free the World’s Information; former tech reporter for Forbes magazine
PROFILE
Andy Greenberg
Guest
FROM Andy Greenberg
To the Point
The FBI Wants Apple to Cast Light on 'The Dark Web' The dispute pitting law enforcement against cyber security is dividing members of Congress — and veterans of US intelligence. FBI Director James Comey went to Capitol Hill this week to explain his demand that Apple provide a so-called "back door" to the iPhone of the San Bernardino terrorist Sayed Farook. One surprising opponent is retired General Michael Hayden, who led the CIA and directed the National Security Agency's wiretaps without warrants. He's now a security consultant in the private sector, and he's siding with Silicon Valley against the FBI. We also hear why so-called "back doors" to encryption are not just an issue of an individual's right to privacy but a real danger to American security.
To the Point
Building Your Own Untraceable AR-15 'Ghost Gun' Is Easy Gun control advocates — and gun lovers — talk about "ghost guns" that are made at home and can't be traced by law enforcement. Andy Greenberg made in his office at Wired. It's a metal AR-15, that required no waiting period, no background check — and no serial number. This summer he wrote extensively about it in Wired and he told us the story, beginning with just what he means by "ghost gun."
To the Point
Building Your Own Untraceable AR-15 'Ghost Gun' Is Easy Gun control advocates — and gun lovers — talk about "ghost guns" that are made at home and can't be traced by law enforcement. Andy Greenberg made his own "ghost gun" in his office at Wired magazine. It's a metal AR-15, that required no waiting period, no background check—and no serial number. He's written extensively about it in Wired .
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Popcorn Time Chipping Away at Box Office Returns If you don’t feel like going out to see a movie tonight, you could just stay home and fire up Netflix. Or, if you don’t have a Netflix account and you’re not concerned with those pesky anti-piracy laws, you could just use the new app Popcorn Time and watch a current movie for free. Millions of people are already using Popcorn Time after just a year online, and apparently it’s growing by 100,000 downloads a day. We find out more about the app and what it could mean for the film industry. Screen grab from Popcorn Time, the movie torrenting app. Movie available on Popcorn Time, the movie torrenting app.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The New Silk Roads More than 400 web addresses selling illegal drugs were shut down in a major international crackdown that spanned 17 countries. One of the sites taken down was the Silk Road 2; its alleged operator is facing charges of narcotics trafficking, computer hacking and conspiracy. We look at the latest in the investigation.
To the Point
Are 'Dark Networks' a Threat or a Haven Online? Revelations about the government’s electronic surveillance have raised alarms about privacy. Today's Wall Street Journal reports that the National Security Agency’s capacity is even broader than has reported before—enabling it to reach " roughly 75% of all US Internet traffic ."Is there any way to use the Internet secretly? Yes, there is. It's the Darknet, available through software that allows anonymous browsing—and, increasingly—provides opportunities for organized crime. On Silk Road, for example, customers can find LSD, cocaine and heroin as if they were shopping on Amazon — anonymously. Why hasn't the government cracked down? Are there legitimate reasons for Internet users to conceal their identities?
Which Way, L.A.?
WikiLeaks and 'Enforced Transparency' WikiLeaks’ latest “ megadump ” of information has caused distress and embarrassment worldwide, especially at the US State Department where Secretary of State Clinton says the documents “allegedly” originated. Publication in five newspapers around the world has only begun, and staffs of reporters and checkers have been assigned to determine what’s real and what’s not.
To the Point
Can Anyone Keep a Secret Any More? WikiLeaks' latest " mega-dump " of information has caused distress and embarrassment worldwide, especially at the US State Department where Secretary of State Clinton says they "allegedly" originated. Publication in five newspapers around the world has only begun, and staffs of reporters and checkers have been assigned to determine what's real and what's not. After shaking up international diplomacy, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says upcoming revelations might bring down a major American bank. Can Assange be stopped? Is WikiLeaks destroying the trust crucial to US diplomacy, or do documents leaked so far show State Department officials just doing their jobs? What about Hillary Clinton ordering diplomats to spy on their counterparts? Has WikiLeaks uncovered an unsavory kind of business as usual?
To the Point
Airport Full-Body Scanner Technology Used to Search Cars Courthouses and airport security checkpoints aren't the only places where x-ray scanners are being deployed. A company in Massachusetts is selling them to police departments for use in moving vehicles on city streets. Z-Backscatter 's x-ray vision is a powerful technology—capable of seeing through walls, clothing and much more. Andy Greenberg is a staff writer for Forbes magazine.
Recommended
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?